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MEMOIR 



AND 



CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

ELIZA P/GURNEY. 



EDITED BY 

RICHARD F.'MOTT. 




PHILADELPHI A: 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 
1884. 



Copyright, 1884, by H. K. Howell. 




INTRODUCTORY. 



The following extracts from E. P. Gurney's ex- 
tended correspondence are submitted in the belief 
that their intrinsic value will commend them to the 
approval of many who appreciate the records of a 
beautiful and consecrated life. In the pleasant task 
of selecting from the mass of letters and journals 
such parts as seemed especially worthy of preserva- 
tion, the editor desires gratefully to acknowledge the 
valuable assistance of the relatives and friends of 
E. P. Gurney, to whom her papers were confided, 
and at whose request the work was undertaken. 
Omitting very much that might appear like eulogy, 
the aim has been to exhibit, as much as possible in 
her own words and those of her intimate friends, a 
true portrait of her rounded and symmetrical char- 
acter. An expression of her friend, J. Bevan Braith- 
waite, in reference to Joseph John Gurney, seems 
equally applicable to her : " Letters from others to 
him, or about him, are likely to be especially valua- 



4 INTR OD UCTOR Y. 

ble. A Christian, such at least as he was, describing 
himself, necessarily dwells upon his infirmities ; he 
mourns over his shortcomings, and seems hardly 
conscious of his attainments. Others looking on 
see the light." 

The many allusions to seasons of affliction and 
bereavement which these letters contain, may give to 
the volume a sombre cast not fairly descriptive of the 
life which it is sought to represent, — a life which, both 
in Europe and America, was substantially a bright 
and happy one. E. P. Gurney was by nature and 
by grace well fitted to take her place in a circle of 
which one of its members writes Third mo. 15th, 
1869, urging her return to England: "Though 
there has been much to try and humble us, thou 
wouldst not find the family overwhelmed. I think 
they have a wonderful power of looking at and 
enjoying present blessings, and rising above sorrow, 
however deeply it may wound." 

It is hoped that this volume may recall more 
freshly to the memory of those who knew her, her 
work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of 
hope ; and to some who knew her not, may present 
her as the Christian lady, the thorough and con- 
scientious Friend, the gifted and faithful minister of 
the gospel. However she might have shrunk from 
the exposure of some of these papers, dealing with 



INTR OD UCTOR Y. 5 

subjects which seemed to her almost sacred, nothing 
would have been more grateful to her than the 
thought that the evidences of her devotion to her 
blessed Master should continue to extend in widen- 
ing circles of influence for good after her departure. 
Diligent as she was in endeavoring to " sow beside 
all waters," we may trust that 

'* Soon or late a time will come 
When witnesses that now are dumb 
With grateful eloquence shall tell 
From whom the seed thus scattered fell," 

and that the sower and the reapers may at last 
rejoice together in the harvest of the thirty-, the 
sixty-, or the hundred-fold. 



Burlington, N. J., First mo., 1884. 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



CHAPTER I. 



Eliza Paul Kirkbride was the fifth daughter of 
Joseph and Mary Paul Kirkbride, of Philadelphia, 
and was born in that city Fourth mo. 6th, 1801. 

But few memoranda remain of her early childhood. 
She attended Friends' Boarding-School at Westtown, 
Pennsylvania, about three years, from the age of 
eleven to fourteen. Two of her schoolmates at that 
time speak of her as being remarkably lovable, 
and a great favorite with all about her. Of quick 
perceptions and sanguine temperament, her disposi- 
tion was characterized in early life by an impulsive- 
ness almost approaching impatience. Her conclu- 
sions were rapidly formed, and stated with candor 
and frankness ; a tendency which, under the subdu- 
ing influence of Divine grace in later years, con- 

7 



8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

tributed largely to her effective service in her field, 
of labor. The free correspondence among the 
scholars, which was encouraged by the teachers, 
tended much to promote the ready expression of 
their feelings, and many of these early friendships 
continued through life. 

After leaving Westtown, E. P. Kirkbride lived with 
her sister, Frances M. Shoemaker, in Philadelphia, 
to whose house she frequently refers as a most happy 
home. 

The most complete record of this period is con- 
tained in the following journal, commenced at the 
Grove, near Norwich, England, in 1857, and con- 
cluded at West Hill, Burlington, N. J. : 

"At the urgent request of my precious departed 
friend, H. C. Backhouse, I once'penned a brief ac- 
count of my early life, perhaps two hundred pages, 
but after it was done, I so shrank from the idea of its 
falling into the hands of a stranger or some indifferent 
person who would only criticise it, that I foolishly 
destroyed it, which I have often regretted since, as 
the history of my life, if faithfully written, would pre- 
sent as remarkable instances of the pardoning love 
and sparing mercies of our heavenly Father as have 
ever been exhibited in the journal of any individual. 
How often has He renewed the visitations of His 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. g 

Holy Spirit, and how again and again have I rebelled 
against Him ! So that truly, in taking a retrospec- 
tive glance at my past life, while I am bound to ac- 
knowledge gratefully that unto the Lord our God 
belong mercies and forgivenesses, I am also con- 
strained to confess that unto me belongs nothing but 
shame and confusion of face, for had He not fol- 
lowed me all my life with His preserving and for- 
bearing love, where had I been? 'Kept by the 
power of God.' Then may I bless and praise His 
name forever. 

" Among my earliest recollections is the death of 
my dearest mother, which occurred, I believe, in 
the year 1807, at which time I was only just six 
years old ; yet I well remember being carried by the 
maid into a darkened room to see her dear remains, 
and also the feeling of childish sympathy which I 
had with my precious father, whose sad and altered 
countenance I fancy I can even now recall, after an 
interval of fifty years. 

" I have also a most vivid recollection of his solemn 
footfall as he paced with measured steps his solitary 
chamber, and so strong was my affection for this 
honored parent, that I can truly say, even to the 
present time, my heart has ached at seasons in the 
remembrance of his sufferings at that awful hour. 
He was devotedly attached to my mother, and she 



I0 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

was taken from him, as it were in a moment, in the 
twinkling of an eye, I believe in her forty-second 
year, leaving him with seven motherless children, 
the eldest not yet eighteen years of age. He never 
fully recovered his spirits after this sore bereave- 
ment, though he survived her- loss about eight years. 
My eldest sister took charge of the family; those 
who were old enough were sent to a boarding- 
school, my younger sister and myself remaining at 
home. In the course of a year or two, my sister 
Frances (who had now become a plain Friend) was 
married to Dr. Shoemaker, and my sister Julia 
came home from school to keep my father's house. 
I have a very pleasant impression of my childhood. 
It certainly was not a time of trial such as I have 
often heard this period of life described by others. 
My father was very indulgent, though firm in his 
treatment of us, and I remember always feeling it my 
pleasure as well as duty to obey him. To the best 
of my recollection, he never reproved me but once. 
When a very little girl, I had thrown myself on the 
floor in a pet, and was crying away tremendously, 
when he observed with perfect quietness, and yet 
somewhat upbraidingly, ' Don't be a booby.' 

" I never shall forget the effect of this rebuke : it 
calmed me instantly ; and naughty as I may have 
been when out of sight, I think my father never saw 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



II 



me in a pet again. Bright is my recollection of my 
early home, a sunny, pleasant house on the green 
bank of the majestic Delaware, with a long grassy 
walk under fine dark, spreading cedars. The gar- 
dens and the orchards, too, I well remember, and the 
large cellars filled with rosy apples, nuts, sweet cider, 
and various other tempting articles, the fragrance of 
which I perfectly recall, even at this long distance of 
time. Well do I remember, too, the joy in the house 
on my sisters' return from boarding-school. Indeed, 
I think a brighter or a happier family party could 
not well be found. We had few associates in the 
neighborhood, but our friends and connections in the 
city were frequently with us, and I may truly say we 
were never lonely. My eldest sister was settled 
happily at Frankford, about two miles distant, and 
delightful it was to welcome her and her ' belong- 
ings' to the homestead, — a pleasure which we fre- 
quently enjoyed. How often have I watched and 
waited at the window, with the greatest eagerness, to 
see their carriage drive up to the door, and seized 
the first dear little niece with fear and trembling lest 
somebody should rob me of the treasure! With the 
exception of my maternal grandmother, my grand- 
parents were deceased before my memory, perhaps 
before my birth, but well and vividly do I recall my 
aged grandmamma as she sat by her drawing-room 



I2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

window with knitting in hand, the picture of peaceful 
content and quiet happiness. Vividly, too, do I re- 
call the cupboard in which she kept all sorts of 
tempting things, and how the pulses of my heart 
were quickened when she unlocked its stores. I 
think I see her now, the dear old lady, looking so 
dignified and yet so sweet and kind, her house a 
perfect pattern of good order, neatness, and (my im- 
pression is) of simple elegance. She was in fact a 
model housekeeper; possessing but a moderate in- 
come, she lived in real comfort. My uncle, Joseph 
Paul, a widower, resided with her and her two single 
daughters, Sarah and Martha; the former a most sen- 
sible, superior person, but rather deaf and in a deep 
decline, which lasted several years. I well remem- 
ber hearing of her peaceful close during my stay at 
boarding-school ; and sincere was the sorrow I felt 
at the loss of this beloved and honored relative. In 
1825 my uncle Paul was united in marriage to Han- 
nah Lewis, a very valuable Friend and elder, who 
served as clerk to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for 
more than twenty years. They were betrothed in 
1820, a little while before dear William Forster's 
visit to America; but, as he wished my uncle to 
accompany him in the long pilgrimage through 
our land, the marriage was deferred five years, — 
surely a striking instance of self-sacrifice. My uncle, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l ^ 

Joseph Paul, then took his place as guardian to 
his mother, and all these days are full of pleasant 
memories. Both my maternal uncles, John and Jo- 
seph Paul, stood high in the estimation of the com- 
munity. A valued Friend once remarked to me, 
'There are no two men in Philadelphia whom I 
would place before them for integrity and conscien- 
tiousness,' and I believe they well deserve this good 
opinion. But I am anticipating, and must go back 
a little in my history. 

"I was born in Philadelphia in 1801, and shortly 
afterwards my parents removed to Chalkley Hall, 
— the former residence of Thomas Chalkley, — two 
or three miles from Bridesburg, which then became 
the happy home of our family for sixteen years, — a 
home to which my young heart clung with great 
tenacity. We sometimes spent our winters in Phil- 
adelphia, when I was sent to a very good school 
kept by Elizabeth Cox and her daughters ; one of 
whom told me some time afterwards she well re- 
membered me a very straight, proud-looking child, 
to whom she was at times almost afraid to speak, 
though I could only have been eight or nine years 
old. This certainly was a mistake, as I am quite 
unconscious of ever having such a feeling in my 
heart; and I believe that what she called pride must 
have been a natural timidity. 



14 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



" Towards the last of 1810 I was sent to Westtown 
School, where four of the family had been educated 
before me, and my sister Harriet remained another 
year, till my only younger sister was ready to join 
me. Here I spent three years very happily, and 
probably should have continued longer but for the 
serious illness of my precious father, which ended in 
his death in 18 16. My sister Julia and myself were 
his constant attendants, and she had the true comfort 
of witnessing his triumphant close, of which I was my- 
self deprived in consequence of the illness and death 
of my sister Shoemaker's little babe, — a circumstance 
which I think I may say I have never since ceased 
to regret. It would have been such an especial priv- 
ilege to hear him speak of his perfect trust in his 
God and Saviour, and declare with his dying breath 
that ' he would not exchange the sweet feeling of 
peace which filled his heart at that solemn moment 
for all the gold of Ophir.' My sister called it a 
blessed translation, and said it seemed as if the 
gates of heaven were opened to receive him. A few 
months after this our family dispersed. My brother 
John married, and brought his bride to our dear old 
home ; my sisters, Julia, Harriet, Sally Ann, and 
myself going to Philadelphia to live with our mar- 
ried sisters, Frances M. Shoemaker and Mary Ann 
Williams. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



15 



" Soon after, my sister Harriet was married to A. 
M. Howell, a son of Arthur Howell (a well-known 
minister of the Society of Friends), and her house 
became my home until her death, some six years 
afterwards, when she was taken from her husband 
and three lovely boys, in the twenty-sixth year of 
her age. Her disease was consumption, and it was 
very instructive to observe the wonderful change 
that was made by long-protracted suffering in this 
once gay and joyous being, whose life seemed al- 
most like perpetual sunshine, until, in His tender 
mercy, the Lord was pleased to bring her low and 
let her see herself as she was seen of Him. After 
passing through a baptism of suffering such as I 
never witnessed in any other instance, her purified 
spirit was suddenly introduced into the glorious 
light and liberty of the children of God. The pat- 
tering rain was music in her ears, the balmy breezes 
like the breath of heaven, and she called upon us 
all in the most earnest and solemn manner to praise 
the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful 
works to the children of men. 

"After her death I had a truly pleasant and con- 
genial home with my beloved and honored uncle, 
Joseph Paul, who acted the part of a loving and 
tender father until, in 1829, he finished his course 
with joy, and through the riches of redeeming 



j6 memoir and correspondence of 

mercy his gentle spirit was united to the just of all 
generations, washed and made white in the precious 
blood of the Lamb." 

In 1827, E. P. Kirkbride entered into an engage- 
ment of marriage with John L. Howell, of Fancy 
Hill, near Woodbury, N. J., and a future of great 
promise appeared to await them. Of her appear- 
ance and character at this time, one of J. L. Howell's 
nieces writes : 

" I know when I was a little child your dear aunt 
was constantly at our house in Philadelphia; she was 
so lovely that they used to laugh at my silent admi- 
ration of her. I can recall, even after all these years, 
my going to the nursery and telling them that 
1 Uncle John's pretty Kirkbride was down-stairs to 
tea.' Then she was so gay and full of bright and 
happy spirits." 

J. L. Howell was a young man of fine character 
and promise, and attractive social qualities. Their 
bright prospects, however, were soon clouded by his 
failing health; and before the close of 1828 their 
hopes of earthly happiness were ended by his death. 
The letter proceeds : 

" My uncle died in 1828. Your dear aunt went 
down to Fancy Hill after his death, and was with my 
grandma some time. They were such a comfort to 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



17 



each other; and then began the change and deepen- 
ing in her religious views, which finally ripened into 
the perfect character of that long and lovely life. ,, 

A long period elapsed before E. P. Kirkbride was 
enabled to rise above this crushing sorrow ; but bow- 
ing submissively to the stroke, she could at length 
acknowledge that it was in wisdom that she had 
been afflicted, and that infinite mercy had been 
largely mingled with the bitter cup. Her own lan- 
guage was, — 

" Hush ! hush ! my thoughts are resting on a changeless world of bliss ; 
There is no voice of gladness now can lure them back to this ; 
I look to Thee, Redeemer ! Oh, be every crime forgiven, 
And take the weary captive to Thy paradise in Heaven : 
Or teach my heart resignedly to say ' Thy will be done,' 
And calmly wait Thy summons home, Thou just and Holy One ! 
Thou mayst have spoiled my cherished schemes, to let my spirit see 
That happiness is only found, great God ! in serving Thee." 

In 1830, Hannah C. Backhouse, a valuable minister 
from England, accompanied by her husband, Jona- 
than Backhouse, came to this country on an extended 
mission of gospel love, visiting most of the settle- 
ments of Friends in the United States and Canada 
during a period of nearly five years. E. P. Kirk- 
bride early became deeply interested in the public 
services and personal attractions of this dear friend, 

and the mutual attachment which sprang up between 

2* 



lg MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

them continued through life with unabated warmth, 
and exerted a powerful influence in determining the 
course of active Christian duty upon which E. P. K. 
thenceforward entered. 

The exercises of her mind at this time are indi- 
cated by the following letters to her friend : 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Woodburne, Fifth mo. 23d, 1831. 
Tis in accordance with thy kind request, my 
dearest friend, and truly so with my own inclination, 
that I embrace an early opportunity of thus renewing 
the delightful intercourse which, for the few short 
days that we sojourned together, yielded to me at 
least such new and pure and heartfelt happiness. 
Oh, may I never lose the grateful recollection of my 
heavenly Father's tenderness and care in causing 
me, in my first steppings in the narrow path which 
He marked out for me, to meet with one on whom 
He has so bounteously bestowed the gift of healing 
and of binding up the broken heart ! Ah, no ! though 
rough and rugged be my future course, the memory 
of this sweet " brook by the way" which He pre- 
pared for me will often steal across my troubled 
soul, refreshing, strengthening it and filling it with 
gratitude to God. I had an almost silent journey 
home, my precious friend, and when I stepped on 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. jq 

the piazza my heart grew faint within me at the 
thought of the sad change a day had made in our 
late pleasant habitation ; but in a moment I distinctly 
heard the sweet assurance sounding in my ear, " In 
quietness and confidence shall be thy strength ; in 
returning and in rest thou shalt be saved," and it 
comforted and supported me unspeakably. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Woodburne, Fifth mo. 23d, 1 831. 

Oh, the joy, the peace, in trusting and believing ! 
Truly, my beloved friend, words fail me in the attempt 
to prove my thankfulness to thee for all the sweet 
encouragement thou hast held up to me to leave all 
else and follow only Him, whose service I am confi- 
dent must be entire freedom, perfect liberty. The 
world has ever been a hard taskmaster to all who 
have enlisted in its service, to me it was the worst of 
tyrants, for where I serve at all, it is with my whole 
undivided heart, and truly I have found my recom- 
pense for such devoted servitude to be a chalice full 
of gall and bitterness. To-day I feel more settled, 
and the view before me seems a more unclouded one 
than I have ever known before. Pray for me, dearest 
friend ; pray that my faith fail not. 

Soon after the date of this letter, at H. C. B.'s 



20 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 

particular request, E. P. K. accompanied her to New 
England Yearly Meeting, and continued with her till 
the last of the Seventh mo. But on returning to 
Philadelphia, some Friends thought it would be neces- 
sary to have a minute from the Monthly Meeting if 
she proceeded farther ; and as she did not feel pre- 
pared to ask for this, a very valuable friend and elder 
(but quite a stranger to H. C. B.) offered her services, 
and set out with J. and H. C. B. to Ohio Yearly 
Meeting. 

While thus separated, E. P. Kirkbride wrote fre- 
quently and with great openness to H. C. B. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Eighth mo. 27th, 1831. 
How gently does our gracious Master deal with 
us! how easy does He make hard things appear! 
Last First day morning I put on my plain drab bon- 
net, and though I cannot say it was a cross to me, I 
could not help but feel it was a solemn thing to make 
profession as it were to the world that I was follow- 
ing a meek and crucified Redeemer, and my whole 
soul did supplicate that both in word and deed I 
might be thoroughly consistent, wholly uniform. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 I 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 



Philadelphia, Ninth mo. 21st, 1831. 

Pray for me, dearest friend, pray that I may be 
kept from day to day ; for, truly, I have nothing in 
myself that can preserve even for a single hour. Oh, 
I do sometimes shrink from treading in the untried 
path that is before me now, feeling I have no might, 
no power of my own, and that my steppings at the 
present time are awfully important to my future 
peace ! May an omniscient God watch over me 
continually, for He alone can make us dwell in 
safety ! 

I think this separation has been good for both of 
us. I am sure it has been for me, and I believe that 
when we meet again, though thou wilt be as dear to 
me as thou hast ever been, yet my affection for thee 
will be better regulated, and all things brought into 
much better order. It was very sweet to me, when 
friends were interceding for thy children, that thy 
heart affectionately included me ; truly, I do feel 
thou hast a right to call me so, for if I am but faith- 
ful to what thou hast shown me to be right, thou 
wilt have done far more for me than any earthly 
friend has ever done ; if, under grace, I owe thee my 
eternal happiness or my hope of it, no wonder thou 
art dear to me, even as my own soul. 



22 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, First mo. 6th, 1832. 
My beloved Mother, — The entire spirit of thy 
last sweet letter, dated the 30th of Eleventh mo., is 
so decidedly maternal that, having just concluded 
reading it, I felt constrained to address thee by 
this most endearing of all appellations ; and, as thou 
sayest, I feel so much like an adopted child to thee, 
I am persuaded that I could not love thee more if 
thou in very truth hadst been my mother. Some- 
times, indeed, I have feared thou hast too great a 
hold on my affections ; and yet I verily believe that, 
truly kind as thou hast been to me, and much, too, 
as our tastes assimilate and all our feelings are in 
unison, I love thee more for thy devotedness to 
the service of our blessed Lord than for any other 
cause. Oh, may our union ever be in Him ! begun 
in Time, perfected in Eternity. 

Soon after the last letter was penned J. and 
H. C. B. returned to Philadelphia to attend the 
Yearly Meeting, at the conclusion of which E. P. K. 
obtained a minute from her Monthly Meeting to ac- 
company her beloved friend through the remainder 
of her mission to this country, if Truth should open 
the way. Accordingly, in the Fifth mo. they set 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



23 



out for Virginia, and, after spending some weeks in 
the neighborhood of Richmond (Indiana), including 
the attendance of the Yearly Meeting there, they 
proceeded to New England, where they remained 
many months visiting families, holding meetings, etc. 
The providential escape from death noted in the 
following letter occurred during this visit : 

E. P. K. to her Sister. 

Yarmouth, Mass., Second mo., 1833. 
... J. Backhouse having left us near Sandwich 
last First day to attend some Quarterly Meetings to 
the East, we slept together, and early in the evening 
asked the friend with whom we lodged if she could 
let us have a fire in our chamber, to which she an- 
swered that there had never been one, and she 
thought the chimney, being new, would very likely 
smoke, but she would put a pan of coals on the 
hearth and make us comfortable. The pan or fur- 
nace was a large one, and we went to bed feeling the 
room was warm, but not the least suspecting there 
was danger. We soon fell asleep, and about twelve 
o'clock H. C. B. woke me, saying she was very faint, 
and begging me to raise the window quickly. I 
instantly sprang out of bed, but found I was myself 
so nearly gone I had to throw myself against the 
wall to keep from falling, and soon perceiving by 



24 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



the shortness and suspension of her breath that she 
had fainted quite, fright gave me strength, and as I 
was in total darkness and could not find the door, I 
pounded with my elbows on the wall until my 
strength gave out and I fell senseless on the floor. 
The noise, however, had aroused our hostess, and 
coming up to our door, she thought she heard us 
whispering within, and thinking all was safe, con- 
cluded she would not disturb us ; but as she turned 
to go down-stairs, she felt so uneasy she came 
quickly back again, and opening the door, let in the 
air, and thus restored that breath and life to us 
which, had she not returned, might possibly have 
been extinct forever. It was the most awfully alarm- 
ing night I ever knew. I feel we have been merci- 
fully cared for, and are bound to acknowledge grate- 
fully the guardian care of that all-seeing eye which 
slumbers not. 

In the spring of 1833, E. P. Kirkbride paid a visit to 
her friends in Philadelphia, leaving H. C. B. at Provi- 
dence under the care of William and Anna Jenkins. 

In the Fifth mo. she rejoined her beloved friend 
in New England, and continued with her till the 
autumn of 1835, when H. C. B. returned to England, 
having visited seventeen States of the Union and 
spent eight months in Upper Canada. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



25 



Their correspondence was steadily maintained 
during the next two years. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Eleventh mo. 20th, 1835. 
Unfaithfulness ! oh, what a clog it is ! how easy 
to resolve, how hard to execute ! In looking back 
upon our journey, and writing bitter things against 
myself, which I invariably do when so employed, 
the thought of Peter has a little cheered me. How 
quick he was to promise, though all should be 
offended because of their blessed Lord, yet would he 
never be, and when informed by Him who knew the 
heart, "Before the cock crow twice thou shalt deny 
me thrice," he spoke vehemently, " Though I die 
with thee I will not deny thee." Yet when his 
Master's soul was sorrowful, even unto death (di- 
rectly after this), and He commanded him to watch 
and pray, we find he slept because his eyes were 
heavy. What must his feelings at that hour have 
been when his Lord tenderly rebuked him thus : 
%i Simon, sleepest thou ? couldst thou not watch with 
me one hour?" Then as though feeling for our 
great infirmities : " The spirit indeed is willing but 
the flesh is weak." And when he denied Him and 
his Lord turned round and looked upon him, no 
wonder he went out and wept so bitterly. It does 

3 



2 6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

not seem to me an upbraiding look, but rather one 
that said, " Ah, Simon, I knew thee better than 
thou knew thyself, and I have suffered thee to be 
thus tempted that thou mightest be thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the weakness and depravity of thine 
own heart, and know that of thyself thou canst in- 
deed do nothing." 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Twelfth mo. 26th, 1835. 
To-day my mind is stayed and quieted in a sweet 
feeling that the world gives not, under the precious 
influence of which we are enabled to feel gratitude 
of heart for every dispensation that we have to pass 
through, however painful some of these maybe, trust- 
ing they tend to forward us upon our journey to 
that state of fixedness where disappointment and 
anxiety can never come. In this sweet sense of 
resignation to our Father's will the mind can form 
a truer estimate of the brief moment that we tarry 
here, the transitory nature of our griefs and joys, 
and though it be but through a glass and darkly, 
have some faint glimpses of that better world whose 
joys are perfect and eternal too. Here, my sweet 
friend, we may at least believe (if we continue in the 
blessed Truth) we'll meet again, to part (oh, joyful 
thought !) no more forever. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 



27 



Philadelphia, First mo. 8th, 1836. 
. . . Oh, truly, it will be a comfort when we can 
settle down in harmony and quiet once again, and 
feel that we indeed " owe no man anything but to 
love one another !" My prayer has been for thee, my 
precious friend, that thou mayst still be kept in that 
pavilion which truly is above the strife of tongues, 
in which thou hast assuredly found safety during 
thy tarriance on our shores even in a very dark and 
cloudy day. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, First mo. 17th, 1836. 
. . . Do, dearest, in thy low, discouraged moments, 
think of this : remember that in working righte- 
ousness thou art doing only half of thy allotted 
business, for the Apostle's exhortation is "Rejoice 
alway." The Psalmist bids the righteous not only 
be glad, but shout for joy. I do not know why I 
have written thus, but I have often longed thou 
mightest be more unvaryingly cheerful, and not 
write bitter things against thyself. For in the 
tabernacles of the righteous we are told the voice 
of gladness and rejoicing is, — so surely it may be 
heard in yours. 



2 8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

E. P. K. to H. C. B., on the Decease of her 
Youngest Son, Henry. 

Philadelphia, Fifth mo. 29th, 1836. 

I have received thy sweet though tenderly affect- 
ing letter, my own dear friend, and truly you have 
had my heartfelt sympathy, for this I am sure has 
been no light affliction. 

Oh, how my heart has ached for each and all of 
you ! But, my dear friend, I have also rejoiced in 
that the God of all true consolation has been mani- 
festly near, enabling, in a furnace such as this, to 
glorify His great and holy name. Oh, you have 
proved indeed u The Lord is good, a stronghold in 
the day of trouble, and that He knoweth those who 
trust in Him !" How precious must have been the 
seasons round the bed of death ! Oh, I remember 
such among the most rejoicing of my life ! Yes, 'tis 
at favored moments such as these the awful veil 
which seems to cover the eternal world, in pity to 
our weakness, is uplifted, and we behold as with the 
eye of faith " the heavens opened, and the Son of 
man, Jesus our Mediator, sitting on the right hand 
of God;" and then while burdened with infirmities 
and feeling that we have no righteousness of our 
own to trust to, these glorious truths with sweet 
appropriation are in love brought home to us : " It 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



2 9 



is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all 
sin ;" " He is the resurrection and the life ; they that 
believe in Him shall never die." We seem as for the 
first time to comprehend the blessed import of the in- 
vocation of the Son of God, and feel that the believers 
in His name, though parted for a little season here, 
will, in a world that is unchangeable, unite again, for- 
ever and forever, to ascribe high praises unto God 
and to the Lamb : " Father, I will that they whom 
Thou hast given me be with me where I am ;" " I 
pray for them ;" u As Thou in me and I in Thee, 
that they, O Father, may be one in us." 

How sweet to think of your beloved boy retiring 
daily to renew his strength ! Oh, my dear friends, 
the wing of heavenly goodness has surely over- 
spread the precious lambs whom you committed to 
your Master's care, and His own promise has been 
sweetly verified : u Leave your fatherless children ; I 
will preserve them alive ;" for I believe it embraces 
those who for a little period are made orphans for 
His own Truth's sake, and that it has been wonder- 
fully fulfilled to such as are made permanently so, in 
wisdom infinite although inscrutable, thousands can 
testify, and my own heart does at this moment 
witness to the fact, my own dear, precious friend, 
remembering all that thou hast been to me. 



30 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



In 1836, in response to urgent and repeated invi- 
tations, E. P. Kirkbride paid a visit to H. C. Back- 
house, in England, and while there accompanied her 
in a religious visit to Scotland and the north of Eng- 
land. She thus describes her first visit to Earlham, 
afterwards the centre of such deep and varied in- 
terests to her, in company with Elizabeth Fry, the 
sister of Joseph John Gurney : 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Grove, Fourth mo. 1837. 
But I must tell you of our day at Earlham ; in the 
first place thy cousin Fry was there, and I did thor- 
oughly enjoy her company. Directly after we had 
taken off our bonnets she said she must show me all 
the interests, and we sallied forth. The first sight of 
Earlham, a place of which one has heard so long and 
so much, is something like the first view of Niagara, 
rather overpowering, especially after reading Priscilla 
Gurney's journal, and I can scarcely tell thee what 
my feelings were when dear Elizabeth Fry showed 
me the likeness of her father and described him to 
me, told me how many happy days they had enjoyed 
together, what varied scenes they had since witnessed 
there, and pointed out the room in which poor Mary 
Gurney closed her eyes forever upon the loving circle 
and bright scene around her. I trust that my reflec- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



31 



tions altogether, though of a serious kind, were not 
unprofitable. Often, in hearing of that family being 
left so young without a mother's tender but restrain- 
ing influence, without the gentle government by 
love, which none except a mother knows how to ex- 
ercise, I have been reminded of the lively group that 
used to circle round my father's hearth; and now, re- 
membering how dispersed and scattered were the 
happy band whose merry voices had in other days 
resounded joyously within these walls, it brought 
before me rather painfully our own changed, broken 
household and deserted home. 

First, I must tell thee I thought it quite a " place," 
admired the old house and grounds exceedingly, and 
think that when the foliage is on the trees it must 
be beautiful. Whilst E. F. was conducting me up- 
stairs she stopped abruptly and exclaimed, " How 
very strange that I should show thee Earlham, and 
how very pleasant too !" I told her it was truly so 
to me, and she assured me with her wonted kindness 
that meeting me had been a bright spot in her visit 
here, and that no one before had half so much en- 
couraged her about her brother's going to America. 
Now don't begin to think I am in danger of being 
hurt by all these kind'expressions. I have had some 
experience in life and learned to weigh things in, I 
believe, a pretty just and equal balance, and it is not 



j2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

enough to think what things are said, but who has 
said them, too. Thus dear E. F., out of the abundant 
kindness of her heart, says very much that frail hu- 
manity likes well to hear, but which indeed means 
nothing more than what my dear and truthful friend 
H. C. B. would sum up, in her own laconic style, in 
one or two abrupt sentences. 

After a delightful and comforting visit, E. P. Kirk- 
bride returned to America in the Seventh mo., 1837. 
Joseph John Gurney, of Norwich, crossed in the 
same vessel, in pursuance of a prospect of extensive 
religious service, for which he had been liberated 
by his friends. The wide experience which E. P. 
Kirkbride had gained during her long travels with 
H. C. Backhouse enabled her to give valuable in- 
formation and counsel to J. J. Gurney respecting the 
prosecution of his journey over very similar ground. 
Arrived in Philadelphia, she resumed an active cor- 
respondence with H. C. Backhouse and her now 
largely-extended circle of English friends. Her 
letters bear testimony to the deepening work of 
Divine grace in her soul, and her earnest desire to 
submit herself wholly to its purifying and renewing 
power. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 33 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 



Philadelphia, Twelfth mo. 9th, 1837. 
Thy earnest wishes for me were truly sweet to me, 
and I may say to thee, the fervent breathing of my 
spirit is that the whole will of my Almighty Father 
may be done, and that He may enable me to glorify 
His holy name, be it by life or death. I never felt 
so free from all anxiety about the future, nor less 
disposed to carve and plan and fashion for myself, 
trusting that He who has so gently dealt with me 
my whole life long will still direct my steps. My 
spirit is at times contrited in me under a sense of 
His preserving care, which has so sweetly sheltered 
me thus far from many of the rougher ills of life 
which flesh is heir to, and which I feel I could so ill 
bear. Tis true I have seen some dull and cloudy 
days, but in the darkest hour I have known " a bow 
of promise sweetly spanned the storm," — not prom- 
ise truly of bright moments here, but of a better 
and a happier home prepared for the redeemed, for 
those who, serving faithfully their Lord, can with the 
eye of faith look past the night of gloominess and 
woe to where the morning dawns without a cloud. 
May we be found, my very precious friend, among 
the unnumbered multitude who worship there, and 



24 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 

join in hallelujahs unto Him who sitteth on the 
throne and to the Lamb forever. 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Fourth mo. 21st, 1838. 

During a family sitting at my brother's house, a 
highly-gifted minister addressed me very remarkably 
in language of which I give thee an abstract: 

" I feel it no light matter to address thee, my 
endeared sister, being deeply impressed with the 
conviction that thou art under the preparing hand 
of thy God, that He is fitting thee for a remarkable 
service in His Church "and family. I do not know 
how it has been with thee in early days, but my im- 
pression is thou hast been under the especial, provi- 
dential, and preserving care of thy Almighty Father 
all thy life long, that He has visited thy soul in very 
early life with His day-spring from on high, and 
given thee to see and to admire the beauty and the 
excellency of the truth as it is in Jesus ; and though 
thou sometimes may have turned thy back upon 
His visitations, which since has caused thee deep 
humiliation before the Lord, at others I believe the 
language of thy spirit was " If I forget thee, O Jeru- 
salem,' " etc. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 



35 



Philadelphia, Fifth mo. 17th, 1838. 
Oh, how I long for thy soothing sympathy! and 
were it not for a sustaining sense which has at times 
been mercifully given me that we all have a glorious 
High Priest, touched with a feeling of our great in- 
firmities, who does compassionate our low estate, I 
think I should have fainted by the way. But very 
sweet have been the consolations of His holy spirit, 
even in proportion, I have sometimes thought, to my 
entire destitution of all outward aid. Oh, it is good 
for us, I do believe, thus to be thrown singly upon 
the love and power of God, that He may satisfy the 
thirsting soul with the pure pleasures of an endless 
life, at least a very blessed foretaste of them, on 
which it is sustained for many days. Such, I may 
say to thee, has been my sweet experience of latter 
time, and never have I felt my will so swallowed up 
in earnest prayer that the Divine will may alone be 
done, whether for joy or sorrow, life or death, finding 
a home with thee, or seeing thy dear face again no 
more. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Woodburn, Seventh mo. 28th, 1838. 

" May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance 
upon thee and give thee peace," as well I know that 



36 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



only in Him canst thou enjoy peace. The perfect 
quietude and deep tranquillity of my own spirit are 
cause of astonishment to myself; knowing such feel- 
ings usually betoken an approaching storm, they 
make me feel a good deal serious, but all anxiety 
about the morrow seems mercifully to be taken from 
me. A few days since, on waking from a nap, one of 
those fearful thoughts about the future that used to 
cause me such uneasiness flashed through my mind, 
but in a moment these words appeared to be dis- 
tinctly uttered, " It is in the hands of the Lord," and 
a confiding trust that He would order all things well 
stilled every feeling of anxiety. This surely is the 
working of Almighty power, for of myself I am a 
very coward, and dare not face a single adverse 
storm. He " who tempers the wind to the shorn 
lamb" only knows what the dread of them has cost 
me, and for awhile has graciously withdrawn it. 
" Let all flesh bless His holy name forever." 

During this year E. P. Kirkbride first appeared 
publicly in supplication and ministry at her own 
meeting. She thus describes the exercises of her 
mind in contemplating this requirement, and the 
peace which followed her obedience to the call : 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 37 



.E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Woodburn, Eighth mo. 18th, 1838. 
Thou knowest that I told thee some years ago I 
had such an insurmountable and fearful dread of 
having to appear in public as a minister. I often 
prayed my life might be accepted in the place of this 
to me far costlier sacrifice. I cannot say what suffer- 
ing the thought of this requiring has often caused 
me. After a time, however, it abated, and I became 
almost indifferent upon the subject; but for a few 
months past, may I confess to thee, my foster-mother, 
I have almost longed to tell of the redeeming love 
and mercy of my heavenly Father to my own poor 
soul. The language of my heart has often been, 
" Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show 
forth Thy praise." Do tell me what thou thinks of 
such a change. I am sometimes almost ready to 
conclude the will has been accepted for the deed, 
and that no more will be required of me. I dreamed 
the other night that; in great weakness and sim- 
plicity, I uttered a few sentences in meeting, and, oh ! 
the full sweet tide of holy joy that flowed into my 
bosom afterward ! 



38 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Ninth mo. 17th, 1838. 
Oh, if I could but live in some snug spot, with just 
a few dear-loved, congenial friends about me, I should 
be quite as happy as 'twere safe to be ; but I have 
sometimes thought in my formation the nerves were 
left without the usual shield, and being thus exposed 
and unprotected, so surely as I come into the bust- 
ling world again so sure are they to get some fear- 
ful jar. Oh, most assuredly if, through the match- 
less mercy of my heavenly Father, I ever wear the 
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, no one of all 
His rational creation can have more cause to give 
Him all the glory, for the infirmities of flesh and 
spirit were never made more manifest in any crea- 
ture. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Tenth mo. 8th, 1838. 
Well, my dear friend, in our large morning meet- 
ing yesterday thy unworthy child was constrained (as 
she believes, by the love of Christ) to supplicate the 
throne of grace, and was enabled, not surely by any 
might of her own, but by the power of the Highest, 
to do it calmly and distinctly. Praised be His holy 
name forever ! I went to meeting without any ap- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^g 

prehension of such a requiring at that time, but in 
a little while the impression on my mind was very 
strong that if I left the meeting without making a 
surrender I should suffer for unfaithfulness, and I 
besought my heavenly Father to give me some un- 
equivocal intimation that it was indeed His own 
requisition, and that this was the period for yielding 
to it, which, in gracious condescension to my weak- 
ness I believe, He was pleased to do. M. A. Loyd 
soon rose, observing that if some present were fully 
faithful she believed their lips would be touched 
with a live coal from the altar, then spoke of the 
danger of delay, quoting the passage, " To-day, if ye 
will hear His voice," etc., and ending with that beau- 
tiful verse in Isaiah : " Look upon Zion, the city of 
our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a 
quiet habitation," etc. As soon as she took her seat 
I felt that I must give up, and truly I may say that 
from that moment to this my heart has overflowed 
with love and peace and gratitude to Him who won- 
derfully condescends to make hard things easy and 
bitter things sweet; nay, I might almost say that 
which my soul loathed has become my pleasant 
food. But, oh ! my mother in the truth, I cannot 
describe the sense of awfulness which has been and 
still is the covering of my spirit, — the holy fear (may 
I not call it so) of proving, by an inconsistent walk 



4Q 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



or any deviation from the narrow path, a stumbling- 
block instead of a way-mark to Zion. Pray for me 
that I may be kept as at the feet of Jesus, and that 
the preserving fear of God may encompass me about 
from hour to hour, for herein only there is perfect 
safety. Oh, how I longed for thee yesterday ! I 
thought thy sympathy would be so sweet to me. 
But yet I do believe it is all rightly ordered ; better 
I should be cast alone upon that Power which can 
and has sustained me, enabling me to adopt the lan- 
guage of the dear Redeemer (even in the midst of 
much apparent destitution), " And yet I am not alone, 
for the Father is with me;" "And where He vital 
breathes, there must be joy." So do not be con- 
cerned about me. I have many kind friends here, 
and several have already been to see me, and thou 
knowest His promise is that " no good thing will He 
withhold from those that love Him." Oh, that I 
may be enabled to do so with my w r hole heart and 
mind and strength, that so at the conclusion of my 
mortal pilgrimage, having kept the faith, I may re- 
ceive the blessed sentence of "Well done, enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord." I do not wish to 
dwell much longer upon the subject, for I believe it 
will not be profitable to my own mind, but I will 
just say that much of my time was spent in my own 
room yesterday, and though I passed some wakeful 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 4I 

hours in the night, they were extremely quiet ones, 
nay, almost joyful. I must also tell thee that at the 
last little meeting I attended at Woodburn, the fol- 
lowing text so seriously impressed my mind that I 
believed I ought to have repeated it : " Foxes have 
holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of 
Man hath not where to lay His head." I think it 
was not withheld by any unwillingness on my part, 
but I had been so light in the intercourse I had had 
with the neighbors, that I felt as if there would be 
an inconsistency in it, and left the meeting not quite 
comfortable. This served, however, as a lesson for 
me, and showed me the necessity of being serious. 
Ah, surelv it becomes us to be so, when we know 
not what an hour may bring forth. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Tenth mo. 12th, 1838. 
My younger friends have been very kind to me, 
and I have never been more sensible of the suffi- 
ciency of His support, who is and must be our all 
in all ; so do not be the least concerned about me. 
" The work it is His," and the desire of my soul is 
that He may perfect it to His praise, whatever be 
the suffering it may cost. If in the end of our 
checkered pilgrimage we can but say with our 
blessed Pattern, " I have finished the work which 

4* 



42 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



Thou gavest me to do/' all else thou knowest, my 
mother in the truth, will be as light as air and very 
vanity. That this may be the experience of us both 
is the sincere desire of thy own friend in gospel 
fellowship. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Eleventh mo. 9th, 1838. 
Could my solitary chamber find a voice it might 
inform thee, my beloved mother, not only of the 
many moments of extreme peacefulness that thy far- 
distant E. has lately passed through, but also of the 
agony of soul which is at times her very bitter por- 
tion, the wormwood and the gall which at this very 
hour she is partaking of. Truly, the desolation and 
the loneliness thou speaks of have brought floods 
of sorrow from my eyes. Oh, how my heart has 
longed for some dear friend, whose sympathy might 
soothe and strengthen me ! How I have longed for 
intimate companionship with even one who seemed 
as if he or she really comprehended me ! -How I 
have longed for thee ! For though I am bound to 
acknowledge thankfully my heavenly Father has 
been very near, sustaining by His love and power 
in a most marvellous manner day by day, I may 
also say that there are moments of discouragement 
when my heart aches most painfully under a sense 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



43 



of its exceeding loneliness, and were it not that I 
can pour out my full soul to Him who is indeed a 
refuge for us, I know not what would have become 
of me. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Eleventh mo. 13th, 1838. 
I wrote the above, as thou wilt see, while in a state 
of very deep depression, which, no doubt for some 
wise and gracious purpose, was for a season meted 
out to me ; but I may gratefully record on this same 
page that He who will not suffer any to be tried 
above what they are able to endure has once again 
arisen on my soul, even as a morning without a 
cloud. Oh, for a voice to praise Him as I ought! 
And may He strengthen me to lie quite passive in 
His holy hands, that, in a teachable and childlike 
state, I may receive and profit by the various lessons 
He is giving me to learn, one of which is to make 
full proof of His sufficiency when all the streams of 
earthly consolation are, for a period at least, with- 
held ; and yet I cannot say that they are all with- 
held, for truly thy last letter came like a cordial to 
my drooping spirit, and seemed to bring thee very, 
very near. Thou seems indeed to have understood 
my state even better than I did myself, I think. 



44 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Twelfth mo. 31st, 1838. 
My dearest sister, Sally Ann Bacon, is still very 
low, but no material change within a day or two. 
The doctors think she cannot continue long, and, 
after many very bitter pangs, we have quite resigned 
her. She is most sweet and patient; and though 
she says but little on the subject, I have the most 
unwavering conviction that her " peace is made." I 
never felt so perfectly divested of every feeling of 
anxiety upon the subject in any instance of the kind 
before. And now, my mother in the truth, I must 
inform thee that once again thy poor unworthy child 
has been constrained to speak in the assemblies of 
the people, to utter a few sentences in fear and trem- 
bling before the Lord, and once again a full and 
blessed recompense is given her. Oh, who dare say 
that He who ruleth in the earth is not a covenant- 
keeping God ? I had not been to meeting for two 
weeks, but felt compelled to go there yesterday, much 
in the cross, and not without some thought of what 
might follow. A. Dirkin rose soon after I sat down, 
and gave me marked and strong encouragement. 
Indeed, I have not wanted for it in this way; some 
late communications have been rather striking. But, 
oh ! this can do little for me if our blessed Lord will 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 45 

only condescend to make His will and pleasure 
clearly manifest. What need I more ? except a little 
counsel and encouragement from His most highly 
prized and precious gift, my own dear chosen friend. 
The verse thou names was very often in my 
thoughts on that First day, and I conceived that I 
could almost hear the blessed voice of Him who is 
our glorious Intercessor at the Throne. " Holy 
Father, keep through Thine own name those whom 
Thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are 
one." So be it, and so be it, saith my soul. 

E. P. K. to H. C. # B. 

Philadelphia, First mo. 19th, 1839. 
Most mercifully has He dealt with me, my soul is 
bound indeed to testify, and though He has been 
pleased the last four months to heat the furnace even 
seven times hotter than it was wont to be, so that at 
seasons it has seemed as if I must have perished in 
the flames, He never for a moment has deserted me. 
His waves and billows truly have rolled over me, but 
He has not allowed me to be overwhelmed. " His 
voice is mightier than the noise of many waters; 
yea, than the mighty waves of the sea," and always 
when the floods roll very high the blessed words are 
spoken, " Peace, be still." Through very deep and 
very humbling baptisms a willingness is wrought 



4 6 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



from time to time to make the feeble offerings I have 
been called to do in the obedience of faith. But 
proportionably great and bountiful has been the rec- 
ompense of Him whom above all I do desire to 
serve, sweetly reminding me of His own promises : 
" Bring all your tithes into my store-house, saith the 
Lord, and prove me now herewith, and see if I will 
not open the windows of heaven and pour you out 
a blessing till there shall not be room to contain it." 
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His 
name together! 

E # P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Second mo. 12th, 1839. 
Does it not seem to thee that the u glad tidings" 
of the truth that Jesus Christ came into the world to 
save sinners can alone properly be called the gospel, 
although we may believe the heathen, — those who 
have never heard the name of Christ, — if they are 
faithful to the light received, will be " accepted in 
the beloved," even as the little child who yields its 
breath before its senses have been exercised by use, 
before it knows to choose the good and to refu.se the 
evil? 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 



47 



Philadelphia, Fourth mo. ist, 1839. 
I never have been better satisfied of the necessity 
of an unclouded faith in all that has been done and 
suffered for us by Jesus Christ of Nazareth, even 
Him of whom the prophets testify, the " Lamb of 
God," who, as the apostle says, was fore-ordained 
before the world was formed, but in these latter 
times made manifest. I also do assuredly believe 
no man can truly call this Jesus Lord but by the 
Holy Ghost, and that a merely nominal belief will 
not avail. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Philadelphia, Third mo. 14th, 1840. 
Yes, my tenderly beloved friend, some moments of 
enjoyment have been ours such as I have almost 
never known before, such as most fully satisfied my 
heart, — a blessed foretaste, as I humbly trust, of 
those enduring joys which are prepared for us (if 
we hold fast our confidence) in that far better world 
where we shall part no more. Ah, surely we have 
sat together, my own precious friend, in " heavenly 
places," and very pure and full has been our joy; 
yet still our tarriance in them was but temporary. 
Oh, who can tell the bliss of abiding there ? 



4 8 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



Eye hath not seen, ear heard, nor hath it entered 
into any heart thoroughly to conceive the height 
and depth and fulness of the blessedness which is in 
store for those who love the Lord and serve Him 
faithfully. Sometimes a little glimpse is given me, 
but it makes me long to fly away. I dare not dwell 
Cn it. My coward heart shrinks from the thought 
of having to endure yet closer conflicts, yet more 
proving baptisms, forgetting that with God all things 
are possible, and that He will not lay upon us greater 
burthens than He Himself will give us strength to 
bear. Oh, if I were but near thee, that I might 
whisper in thy ear how graciously, how conde- 
scendingly, how marvellously He has been dealing 
with my soul, raising it from the very " dust of 
death," and filling it with peace and light and love ! 

Thy vision for me has so far been realized, and 
fervent were the breathings of my heart this morn- 
ing that if He now should " send prosperity," I 
never may forget the wormwood and the gall, the 
misery and bitterness which in His wisdom He has 
portioned out to me, but that my soul may ever have 
them in remembrance and be humbled within me. 
Father of mercies! hear my earnest prayer, and 
grant it, I beseech Thee, in the name of Jesus. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^g 



Katharine Backhouse to E. P. K. 

Fourth mo. loth, 1840. 

... I want to say that I am glad thou art en- 
deavoring to employ the talents entrusted to thee in 
faith ; and the more thou canst commit thy way unto 
the Lord without anxiety or care the more com- 
fortably wilt thou go on from day to day. We often 
perplex ourselves and add to our own difficulties by 
looking too far forward and reasoning upon conse- 
quences ; whereas, if we really did put our trust 
singly in our holy Leader, we should so confide in 
Him and in His leadings that each successive step, 
being taken in obedience to His will at the time 
it was made known to be our duty, would bring its 
own reward of lowly peace, and there would be no 
room for fears and perplexities. This, therefore, is 
the course I would affectionately recommend to thee, 
my dear younger sister. I do not, however, write 
without a true sympathy with thee in the conflicts 
which I believe to be inseparable from the work of 
the ministry, whether we have more or less to do 
with it. May thy good Master be very near thee in 
all thy conflicts, lead thee safely through them, and 
largely bless thee with His love ! 



5o 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



E. P. K. to H. C. B. 



Philadelphia, Fourth mo. 29th, 1840. 
Our friends are all, I think, in usual health, and 
glad our Yearly Meeting passed off comfortably. 
Clouds truly hung about us when we met, but we 
soon found they were indeed the chariot-wheels of 
Israel's King: "At the brightness that was before 
Him the thick clouds passed, hail-stones and coals 
of fire." His promise is that His own people, those 
who love and serve Him, shall dwell in peaceable 
habitations and sure dwellings and quiet resting- 
places, and His promises are yea and amen forever. 

H. C. B. to E. P. K. 

Fifth mo. 6th, 1840. 

. . . That He, the Shepherd of Israel, may lead 
and feed thee, as He has assuredly been doing, is 
the fervent desire of my soul, in which all others, 
strong as they are, seem absorbed ; and if in His 
leadings He brings thee into that state in which 
Jacob found himself when obliged to quit his father's 
house, with a stone for a pillow and the canopy of 
heaven over his head, there mayst thou trust in 
Him, and following Him in this way that He has 
directed thee, make truly the covenant that if He 
will be with thee, give thee meat to eat (spiritually 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 5I 

and temporally), and raiment to put on, — what thy 
poor body stands in need of, and what thy soul de- 
sires to wear, the robe of His righteousness, — thou 
wilt offer unto Him the tenth, the gift of His own 
appointing, the first fruits of all thy increase. So 
may He multiply unto thee grace, mercy, and peace ; 
and in days to come an altar may be erected in com- 
memoration of His marvellous dealings, that in and 
through all sufferings He may, as it were, enable thee 
to adopt the language, " With my staff I passed over 
this Jordan/' etc. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Fifth mo. 29th, 1840. 

We now and then have bright accounts of thee, 
and they are always cheering; but I well know, my 
own most precious friend, thou art very often passing 
through the deeps, and trembling lest thou shouldst 
be overwhelmed. I quite believe the language to 
thee is, " Trust, and be not afraid." He, thy com- 
passionate and holy Guide, who has from time to time 
so graciously measured the waters, brought thee safely 
through, and caused thee to exalt His worthy name, 
will not forsake thee now; nay, He has promised, and 
He will never break His covenant, that He will be 
with those who love and serve Him even to the end. 
Then be thy whole dependence placed on Him; go on 



52 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



in simple faith and never cast away thy confidence, 
for great, I do assuredly believe, will be at last thy 
glorious reward. Light is sown for the righteous 
and peace for the upright in heart. 

E. P. K. to H. C. B. 

Woodburn, Seventh mo. 27th, 1840. 
Whether it is the will of my Almighty Parent soon 
to restore me to thy own dear self again, or whether, 
in His inscrutable but perfect wisdom, He now designs 
to cut off every stream of earthly consolation, that 
it may be my meat and drink to do His blessed will, 
that I may give Him my whole, undivided, dedi- 
cated heart, I cannot in the least pretend to say; but 
knowing that " His will is our sanctification," and 
desiring above all things to be made holy as He is 
holy, I trust I can with some sincerity breathe the 
petition, " May Thy will be done." 

Elizabeth Fry to E. P. Kirkbride. 

Ninth mo. 30th, 1840. 

. . . Thou hast no doubt already heard of the 
sweet and peaceful return home of our dearest Joseph, 
and how much everything he committed to his Lord 
appears to have been kept, blessed, and prospered 
during his absence ; and I may truly say that I think 
his long journey has been blessed to him, and tended 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



S3 



to enlarge, and not diminish, his spiritual life and 
boundaries, which I delight to observe. He looks 
back with deep interest on his journey, and deeply 
feels the kind sympathy, help, and unity he has met 
with from many, and none more than thyself, thy 
uncle and aunt Paul, and Stephen Grellet. 

... I wish, my beloved friend, to have an inti- 
mate letter from thyself respecting thy own dear 
mind; indeed, about all that pertains to thy present 
and everlasting welfare. As it respects thy gift in 
the ministry, I truly desire that thou mayst be faith- 
ful to thy Lord, not warped by any man ; that the 
truths of the gospel may be upheld by thee in their 
purity, simplicity, and power ; and may grace be 
given thee to keep very watchful, humble, and cir- 
cumspect in all thy steppings. I crave for myself 
and my friends this walking before the Lord, and 
that, under what we may consider wrong sentiments, 
wrong feelings, and wrong conduct toward ourselves 
and others, our spirits may be clothed with the 
meekness of wisdom and of true charity toward our 
opposers. I often think it good for myself to have 
my Christian principles thus exercised, or I might 
not know what was in my heart; and I do not find 
it easy, when those dearest to me are concerned, not 
to feel hurt at unfair conduct towards them. 

Dost thou think of returning to England at pres- 

5* 



54 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



ent ? Thou wilt have a cordial welcome from thy 
friends, and my desire is that when the right time 
comes nothing may hinder thee ; but I do not want 
thee to come before. I should like to be affection- 
ately remembered to thy uncle and aunt Paul, and to 
other dear friends who love and serve our blessed 
Lord. May His grace and His peace be abundantly 
with you all, and may His blessing rest upon you ! 

Her friends J. and H. C. Backhouse were now in 
advanced life, and the former in failing health. Their 
appeals had been frequent and urgent to E. P. Kirk- 
bride to visit them once more in England, to which 
the affectionate promptings of her own heart warmly 
responded. She had become accustomed to wait 
until satisfied that her steps were in the path of duty, 
and she now felt that she could properly accept the 
invitation. She accordingly sailed from Philadelphia 
Tenth mo. 19th, and wrote from on shipboard to one 
of her sisters : 

On board Packet-Ship 
" Susquehannah," Tenth mo. 20th, 1840. 

... I think you will like to know how we are 
getting on in this fine northeaster, or rather how 
comfortably we are standing still, not on the bosom 
of the broad Atlantic, but on the quiet Delaware, 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



55 



six or seven miles from where you left us. I felt sad 
enough at the moment of parting from you, but I 
think I have not often spent an afternoon of more 
entire quietness, or one more wholly exempt from 
every anxious thought. I think I feel a degree of 
humble confidence that " the Lord will command 
His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night 
His song shall be with me," and surely I need ask 
for nothing more. I have thoroughly enjoyed the 
perfect quietude ; indeed, I could not help thinking 
this afternoon that, were it not for the sea-sickness, 
I would be glad if we should have a good long voy- 
age, so much do I enjoy a thorough break-off from 
a busy world and its important trifles, — a little time 
for undisturbed reflection, that I may learn to know 
and understand myself. Very sweet has been the 
remembrance of many dearly beloved ones I have 
left behind. May peace be with you all ! How 
strange it seems to be at anchor in your very neigh- 
borhood, and yet so thoroughly divided from you. 

22d. We are now under full sail, with a fair wind 
and bright sky, and quite expect by sundown to be 
fairly out at sea. I believe the two days of entire 
rest on the Delaware have been very useful to me, 
as I was a good deal worn in body, heart, and mind 
when I came on board. As I may not be able to 
write when I get in rough water, I will once again 



56 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



bid you a long, last farewell. I quite hope we shall 
meet again in this world; but should the all-wise 
Disposer of events direct it otherwise, and be in His 
inscrutable wisdom preparing for me a watery grave, 
I want you to know that I humbly trust and believe 
the precious seal of peace which is now resting on 
my spirit is an unquestionable evidence that I am in 
the path He has Himself marked out for me ; and I 
humbly hope, frail, faltering, and unworthy as I am, 
that having in integrity of heart desired to serve Him, 
through the unbounded mercy of our blessed Saviour 
He will at last receive me to Himself; that being 
long a pilgrim on the earth, having indeed no certain 
dwelling-place, my next remove may be to an un- 
changing, fixed, and settled habitation, a tabernacle 
that shall not be taken down. Bright and delightful 
as the thought of seeing H. C. Backhouse again is, 
I must confess the thought of an eternal resting- 
place is even yet more bright. But may our heav- 
enly Father's will be done ! 

Upon her arrival she was received as one of the 
family of J. and H. C. Backhouse, at Darlington, and 
became a member of that meeting. Soon after she 
attended H. C. B. in a second visit to Scotland on 
religious service. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



57 



E. P. K. to Anna Gurney. 

Twelfth mo. 29th, 1840. 

. . . The news of the decease of dear Abigail Barker 
was a thorough shock to me, for, though I had often 
said I thought her getting through the winter doubt- 
ful, I did not think the end was quite so near. Truly 
the sudden absence and removal of a mind like hers 
from off the earth (" for in that very day his thoughts 
perish") is a prodigious miss. I have not often felt 
it more than on this occasion, for surely she was no 
common person, and she has always been to me the 
kindest friend. However, it is cause for joy and 
thankfulness that one has more beloved ones beyond 
the storms of Time than still exposed to them, and 
I have almost ceased to mourn the dead. May we, 
my dearest Anna, in our turn join the " ten thou- 
sand times ten thousand'* who surround the Throne, 
— the spirits of the just who sin no more. 

Continuing faithful to the intimations of duty 
which from time to time were so evidently presented 
to her mind, her public communications were cor- 
dially approved and sanctioned by her friends, and 
on Seventh mo. 20th, 1841, she was duly recorded 
by Darlington Monthly Meeting as a minister of the 
gospel of Christ. 



58 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



CHAPTER II. 

The course of our friend's history has now reached 
a point of peculiar interest. During the early part 
of 1837, as before stated, Joseph John Gurney, of 
Earlhatn, near Norwich, England, had felt his mind 
drawn to religious service in America, and in the 
Seventh mo. of that year he sailed for Philadelphia 
in the prosecution of this mission. For the suc- 
ceeding three years he was constantly engaged in 
visiting and holding meetings with Friends and 
others in various parts of the United States, Canada, 
and the West Indies. He labored much in Phila- 
delphia and the vicinity, and his home in that city 
was at the house of E. P. Kirkbride's uncle, John 
Paul. Their acquaintance was further developed by 
subsequent intercourse after J. J. Gurney's return to 
England, and the intimacy finally ripened into an 
engagement of marriage. E. P. Kirkbride had now 
become widely and favorably known to Friends in 
England, and a cordial welcome awaited her from 
the members of the Gurney family. 

J. J. Gurney's household at this time comprised 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 59 

his two children, John Henry and Anna, and his 
eldest sister, Catharine Gurney. The latter wrote 
to H. C. Backhouse : 

1 841. 

My dear Hannah, — Shall I write to thee or 
Eliza Kirkbride ? I cannot delay the expression of 
my cordial approbation and satisfaction in the en- 
gagement that has taken place between her and Jo- 
seph. That it is a right conclusion no one who 
knows anything about the matter can doubt ; and 
she will, I fully believe, be an invaluable addition 
to our family circle. Above all, she will be the 
very person to make Joseph happy, and be the 
greatest help and pleasure to Anna, who already de- 
lights in her. What a wonderful working of Provi- 
dence may we see in the whole affair ! It has the 
best stamp upon it, and we can but acknowledge it 
as a rich blessing bestowed on our dearest brother, 
a portion of that " hundredfold now in this present 
world" promised to them who forsake all for Christ. 
All that I have heard of her, both from thee and 
Anna, convinces me that she has in her character 
that enlargement of mind and good sense and tact 
which are needful to meet the varieties in our family. 
With kindest love to her, and welcome as my sister- 
elect, I am thy truly affectionate cousin. 



60 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

A note from H. C. Backhouse to J. J. Gurney, 
dated First mo. 26th, 1841, referring to the engage- 
ment, seems in the light of subsequent events strik- 
ingly prophetic : 

" My faith is strong that she will be thine as long 
as thou lives; and if I am suffered to look into the 
future, I see her surviving us both, standing in a 
conspicuous station in the church, and through thee 
in the world, making hundreds to rise up and call 
her blessed for her liberal distribution of things 
both temporal and spiritual, waiting in humble 
confidence and holy submission for that day which 
shall re-unite her spirit with those she has most 
dearly loved on earth in the kingdom of her Lord." 

Amelia Opie writes to E. P. K. at this time : 

My beloved friend, my heart prompted me to write 
to thee some days ago, but opportunity seemed want- 
ing. Now, however, it is before me, and I hasten 
to tell thee how heartily I rejoice in the happiness 
of my dearest friend, in and by which, I trust, thy 
own is included and will be through life secured. 
You have both of you experienced close and deep 
trials, and know from painful experience how full of 
changes and vicissitudes this life is, and how the 
pleasantest pictures are marred; but you have 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 6 X 

through Divine mercy been brought to rest your 
hopes on Him who changeth not, the same yester- 
day, to-day, and forever. And He who was your 
comfort and friend in hours of sorrow and adversity 
will continue to watch over you for good in the 
more dangerous period of happiness and prosperity. 

The marriage took place at Darlington, Tenth 
mo. 21st, 1841. 

It is difficult fully to realize the new influences 
and surroundings among which our friend now 
found herself placed. The family into which she 
had so agreeably entered was very widely spread, 
— she somewhere speaks of having acquired one 
hundred and nineteen nephews and nieces by her 
marriage, — its members were wealthy and influential, 
of high culture, and remarkable for piety and de- 
votion, many of them prominent in the Society of 
Friends. 

Earlham Hall, about two miles from Norwich, for 
a long course of years the home of successive gen- 
erations of the family (though only held on a long 
lease), was a large and elegant establishment, beauti- 
fully situated, and complete in all its appointments. 
The highest refinement that wealth could procure, 
guided by delicate taste and feeling, and sanctified 
by a pervading sense of Christian duty, was diffused 



g 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

through its spacious halls, and shared freely by 
numberless guests from far and near. 

" In this mansion used to be 
Free-hearted hospitality; 
Its great fires up the chimneys roared, 
The stranger feasted at its board." 

In this delightful home E. P. Gurney now found 
herself installed as mistress. Her frank and generous 
nature expanded in its congenial atmosphere, and 
she rejoiced in the enlarged opportunities it afforded 
for the active exercise of the benevolence which was 
one of her prominent traits. 

Catharine Gurney writes soon after the marriage : 

1841. 
My dearest Joseph and Eliza, — My mind and 
heart are so full towards you that I do not incline 
to turn to other interests till I have expressed to you 
the happy impression left from my intercourse with 
you, and the true, solid comfort I have in thee, my 
beloved sister. I am so glad to feel such a capa- 
bility of loving thee and being intimate with thee. 
It is not for us to extol the creature, but it is good 
to love and value one another in its just subordina- 
tion, and allowable sometimes to communicate our 
approbation and sympathy, to stimulate and animate 
one another on our way ; and in entering a new 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



63 



period of life and sphere of duty, encouragement 
from those we love is a cordial. What a most re- 
markable fulfilment of the promise of the " hun- 
dredfold now in this present life" is your connection, 
and the whole history of your being brought to- 
gether. I have no doubt that great good will arise 
from it in various ways. The savor of your united 
influence will be strongly felt, not only in our own 
circle of relations, but in many others, I fully be- 
lieve. For the sake of real good to be done and 
spread, I hope you will not be too exclusive in your 
plans about visiting. I told thee, dear Eliza, my 
regrets at Joseph's strict line and rule about dinner 
visits, — it throws such a shackle on the intercourse 
with some first-rate society in Norwich, — and I am 
very sorry that two such bright and polished instru- 
ments as you both are should be under what seems to 
me such a needless bondage. This is my view, and 
I know that I have a particular dislike to rules and 
restrictions of this kind. I like liberty and follow- 
ing the common ways of society, unless a positive 
conscientious objection interferes with it. However, 
it is not for me to advise, or hardly to give an opinion 
to those whom I truly feel above and beyond me, 
as I do both of you ; and if you differ from me, I 
shall be sure you must have good and substantial 
reasons that I do not understand nor appreciate. 



64 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

H. C. Backhouse to Julia K. Clarke. 

Leamington, Eighth mo. 6th, 1841. 
This was the meeting-house where, more than 
eleven years ago, I laid before Friends my concern 
for going to America. Little did I then think of the 
event of this day, as little did the Friends of Phila- 
delphia when, overruled by a judgment not their 
own, they gave Eliza the minute through which, in 
the wonderful workings of her heavenly Father, it 
may now be said she has been brought into this 
land, to be, at least for years, her earthly home, and 
in which I have as strong a faith as I had that she 
was bound to go with me through your land, that 
she will have an important post to fill, both naturally 
and spiritually, and that if she is a faithful steward 
of her manifold gifts, it will be no inactive one 
either. I feel more than perhaps' any of you' would 
think parting with her, though I perfectly approve the 
connection. She has been such a beloved adopted 
child, that I cannot give her up to another without 
feeling it; but I know the time is come for her using 
her talents in a larger sphere than she can hold with 
me, and that there is a time to give up as well as to 
receive. 

E. P. G.'s letters at this time clearly indicate how 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 65 

deeply she felt the responsibilities of her position, 
and how entirely she looked to her heavenly Guide 
to conduct her safely amid its varied duties. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Tenth mo. 29th, 1841. 

I have been longing to tell thee of our sweet and 
marvellously peaceful arrival here last evening. 
Nothing could exceed the perfectly familiar home- 
like feeling that was in mercy given me on entering 
this abode of rest and happiness, for such I assuredly 
believe I shall find it, through the tender compassion 
and unmerited loving kindness of our gracious Lord. 
Bright, beaming, and cordial beyond description was 
the cheering and heart-tendering welcome we re- 
ceived from these most precious children, whom I 
feel to be gifts of inestimable value from the all- 
bounteous Giver of the manifold and various bless- 
ings I am now enjoying, and in the possession of 
which I well know that thou, my dearly beloved 
mother, will rejoice with me. 

This morning, in our family reading, I was con- 
strained to beseech that a rich blessing might be 
poured upon this gathered household, that the man- 
tle of those who had gone before us into glory, 
with a double portion of their spirit, might descend 

on some of us, enabling us to discharge our relative 

6* 



66 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

and varied duties to the honor of our Lord, that we 
might walk in the light of His countenance, and in 
His name rejoice all the day, etc. A hallowed feel- 
ing seemed to cover us, and after our private reading 
in our lodging-room, we had a sweet call from Wil- 
liam Forster. Then took a short walk, had a sight 
of the beautiful greenhouse (my bridal gift), and 
since luncheon we have enjoyed a social call from 
Anna Forster. She was most pleasant, but looks a 
good deal altered since I saw her last. To-morrow 
our dearest sister Fry comes to us, and Catharine on 
Second day. 

E. P. G. to Susanna Corder. 

Earlham, Eleventh mo. 19th, 1841. 

... I trust thou wilt continue to follow us with 
good desires, and even prayers for our safe guidance, 
faithfulness, and preservation ; for truly I do feel 
that in the midst of vast responsibilities, and count- 
less mercies, too, we have no power at all to keep 
ourselves, and were it not for the assured belief that 
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for 
us, overwhelming to myself would be the increase of 
relative obligations into which my new position must 
inevitably lead. On this grace I rely, and I think I 
am bound to confess that so far I have found it, to 
my humbling admiration, supporting and sustaining 



ELIZA P. GORNEY. 



6 7 



beyond what I could ask or think, making things 
easy which in the distance seemed impossible ; and 
in the midst of the absorbing interests attendant on 
my coming to this new and most indulgent home, it 
has preserved my mind in sweet tranquillity and per- 
fect peace. I know, my beloved friend, and I almost 
think I hear thee telling me to remember, that this 
state of things cannot last, that we must prepare to 
endure hardness, as good soldiers, etc. Yet surely 
when our compassionate Captain permits us for a 
season to rest as in green pastures, and by the still 
waters of life, we may accept the offered mercy w 7 ith 
thanksgiving, and call upon His name for the ability 
to drink the cup which overflows with blessings, to 
His praise. Most sweet and comforting is the re- 
ception I have met with from these precious chil- 
dren, and, indeed, the whole family circle without 
any exception. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Twelfth mo. 16th, 1841. 
I must write a single line to thank thee, my own 
loved mother, for thy kind note and acceptable letter, 
which came together yesterday, and to tell thee, in 
answer to thy kind inquiry, that I am much more 
comfortable, though I have been in a low spot since 
I wrote before. I have received no letter since the 



68 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

one which brought the intelligence of my dearest 
brother's decease, but hope soon to have more par- 
ticulars, which I will forward to thee. In the midst 
of co-untless blessings, I can unite in what thou sayest 
about praising the dead that are already dead more 
than the living that are still alive, groaning, as at sea- 
sons all must groan, under the burthen of mortality, 
and when they do rejoice, rejoice with trembling. 
Yet we must both wait patiently the appointed time 
until the change shall come; and may we not, by 
too much dwelling on the trials and afflictions that 
we meet with by the way, neglect to number the 
abounding mercies of a gracious God ? Thy sym- 
pathy is always sweet to me; I know its depth and 
sincerity. 

. . . How thoroughly the stamp of " right" which 
is sometimes mercifully set upon our movements, 
repays for hours of conflict no one knows better than 
thyself. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Eighth mo. 20th, 1842. 
After I despatched my hasty lines to thee from 
Wells I received thy welcome letter, and was truly 
glad to hear of thy comfortable getting on, although 
it is still, I perceive, through no small tribulation. 
Dearest Joseph and I often contrast our compara- 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



6 9 



tively smooth path with thine, and conclude we are 
thorough idlers; yet we trust we are numbered 
among those servants who " stand and wait," and 
are really willing to leave our delightful ceiled 
house if it is required of us. We had some ex- 
cellent service in our journey round the coast, 
and as to myself, I feel as if I had nothing to do 
but quietly study my alphabet. Whether I shall 
ever get beyond this seems rather doubtful, and I 
can truly say I have not much anxiety about it; 
but I do heartily and increasingly desire that an 
abundant portion of preserving grace may be be- 
stowed upon me, and that I may be kept from hour 
to hour in the coolness, the integrity, the wisdom, 
and the stability of the truth, for how innumerable 
are the temptations to swerve from it in one direc- 
tion or other. 

E. P. G. to Mary Anna Longstreth. 

Earlham, Eighth mo. 31st, 1842. 

We very much enjoyed our stay at Cromer, espe- 
cially the daily intercourse which it afforded with our 
precious sister, E. Fry, who was our near neighbor, 
and part of the time we were there we had the de- 
lightful addition to our party of the Backhouse fam- 
ily, which you will readily believe was pleasant to us 
all. Dear E. Fry, as you know, is always engaged 



jq MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

in endeavoring in some way or other to benefit her 
fellow-creatures, and very sweet it is to be able to be 
co-workers with her for a season in her labors of 
love. There are a great many sailors at Cromer, and 
we had some extremely interesting meetings with 
them (not exactly religious meetings), which com- 
menced in a very simple way. At certain seasons of 
the year, not having anything to do, they are often 
lounging about the cliff for hours together; and one 
day, looking over a tract which seemed peculiarly 
applicable to them, I proposed to dear Joseph that 
we should ask them to come into our large dining- 
room in the evening and read it to them. He being 
always ready to uphold me in every good word and 
work immediately agreed, and so we strolled about 
the cliff and invited them in as we happened to meet 
with them scattered about in little companies. Quite 
a large number came, and I read to them the tract 
called " The Two Seamen," to which they listened 
with the most profound attention, and afterward 
dear J. addressed them very suitably, when they de- 
parted apparently well satisfied with the opportunity. 
On mentioning it to our sister Fry, and also that we 
intended having them in very soon again, she seemed 
much pleased with the plan, and said she would like 
to be with us when we met next time. Accordingly 
a few evenings afterward we had the room nearly 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



71 



full, and it was an occasion certainly not soon to be 
forgotten. The most profound silence reigned while 
I read to them a very impressive tract entitled " The 
Roll-Call, or How will you answer It?" Then my 
dear J. spoke to them beautifully, and in a way which 
seemed to impress them very much indeed, and dear 
E. F. addressed them sweetly too, and then appeared 
in solemn and most striking supplication. It was a 
time of unusual interest, and one which I cannot at 
all do justice to by my imperfect mode of descrip- 
tion, the sailors seemed so deeply impressed by the 
whole thing. We had one or two very interesting 
meetings afterward, but I think this was the most 
striking, there was such great solemnity from the 
first, and the tract, which perhaps you have read, 
seemed so completely to rivet their attention. And 
when my dearest Joseph in a solemn manner ex- 
horted them to be prepared for that great day 
wherein ten thousand times ten thousand and thou- 
sands of thousands out of every kindred, nation, 
tongue, and people would most assuredly be sum- 
moned to appear before the judgment seat of Christ 
to hear the last roll called, the most profound so- 
lemnity prevailed, and I could almost fancy that I 
heard the general response, " How shall I answer 
it?" But I must not fill my sheet about Cromer, or 
I could tell you many interesting anecdotes of our 



72 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

visits to the cottages of the coast-guardmen, estab- 
lishing a library for the sailors, etc. 

E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Earlham, Eleventh mo. 25th, 1842. 

. . . The delightful atmosphere which I continually 
breathe of love and purity, in which the spirit of 
defamation, of envy, of selfishness has never found 
an entrance, is an atmosphere I have all my life 
longed for and had quite despaired of obtaining, — 
one in which I have continually to guard against the 
evil propensities of my own haughty heart, that I 
may feel it a home atmosphere, that I may not 
appear an odd one in this precious circle. 

I think thou wilt like to hear how each day passes, 
that thou may be able to picture us. We rise about 
eight. At a quarter before nine the bell rings for 
family reading, and, all the servants being collected, 
we make quite a little congregation. Either Joseph or 
John H. reads the New Testament, and I often read 
a psalm or a few verses out of Priscilla Gurney's 
collection. Then we all sally forth for a walk till 
breakfast is on the table, and afterwards my dearest 
J. and myself adjourn to our beautiful sitting-room 
for our own private reading. Before this, however, 
I always go into the housekeeper's room and order 
dinner, etc. Then Joseph and I take a long walk, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. y^ 

sometimes in the garden, sometimes in the park. 
By the time we reach home the letters have come ; 
these read, we go into our respective sitting-rooms, 
write letters, read, or employ ourselves as we like 
till luncheon at one, after which I often accompany 
Joseph to Norwich, and while he is engaged for an 
hour or two at the bank, I visit the jail or hospital, 
or perhaps make calls on the sick, and thus my time 
passes pleasantly till he is ready to return. We 
dine at six, and afterwards adjourn to the drawing- 
room, where we settle in for a comfortable evening, 
always having some book on hand, which we go on 
reading, let who may be here, unless they are only 
guests for the day. J. H. is often our reader, when 
Joseph employs himself with his pencil, and Anna 
and I with our needles. On First day evenings at 
half-past eight the hall bell is rung, and the Earlham 
cottagers, amounting, with the servants, to about 
forty persons, assemble in the ante-room, where we 
read to them, and often have an interesting little 
meeting afterwards. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

My beloved Mother, — I am sure thou wilt be 
interested in hearing that my letters from America, 
received this morning, have brought me the sad in- 
telligence of the decease of my dear Aunt Fletcher, 



74 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



and also of the unlooked-for removal of Chalkley 
Shoemaker, my sister's eldest son. 

Is it not remarkable how one piece of mournful 
information follows another in quick succession, till 
it seems as if my whole family w r ould be swept 
away? I confess I have felt a little stunned by the 
news of to-day, but nothing causes me the slightest 
misgiving as to my being in my right allotment 
here. 

I have always felt that I was brought into it by an 
irresistible arm of power, and even though all this 
should prove "but the beginning of sorrows" (which 
I have thought to-day was more than possible), I 
believe I shall feel that " it is the Lord," and trust 
I shall be strengthened to say, " Let Him do what 
seemeth Him good." But my heart is very hard, 
my dear mother; pray for me that it may be so 
" exercised" by these multiplied afflictions as to 
bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness 
and true holiness. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, First mo. 26th, 1843. 
I was struck with what thou sayest of being thank- 
ful to be employed in so good a Master's service; 
but I fear I know little of this grateful feeling, for 
although I am again and again brought to the ac- 



ELIZA P. GURNET. 



75 



knowledgment that hitherto He has helped me, my 
faith for the future often fails me, and the exposure 
is so utterly at variance with my taste and inclination 
that nature shrinkingly exclaims, time after time, " In 
this thing, oh, in this one thing, have me excused !" 
But I think I am getting a little more trustful, and 
have a faint hope that, if I must continue in this 
crucifying path of faith, the day will come when 
perfect love will banish every fear, — every unright- 
eous one I mean, of course. 



E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Ham House,* Fourth mo. ioth, 1843. 
My beloved Friend, — It was a true disappoint- 
ment on arriving here to find we were not to see 
thee again, and I could not fully take in the uncom- 
fortable fact until we got to the meeting-house this 
morning and found surely enough thou wast not 
there. I trust thou hast been in thy right place, and 
if so, as thou sayest, it would not have promoted the 
comfort of either party to have been together ; but I 
could have longed for thee to partake with us of the 
true refreshment which was graciously afforded in 
the unusually solemn and uniting season we were 

* The residence of Samuel Gurney. 



7 6 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 



this day favored with. The waters did seem on our 
first sitting down together much more than ankle- 
deep, and they soon became such as a man could 
swim in. It was exactly the meeting thou wouldst 
thoroughly have enjoyed, and I could not help feel- 
ing that it might have brought us together as in 
days of old, when we did truly drink of the same 
spirit, and sit together in heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus. But though separated in body, I trust we 
were not far distant in spirit, and that when many, 
many miles divide us thou wilt often remember us 
for good. Nothing can exceed the full tide of unity 
that has poured in upon us to-day from every quar- 
ter, loudly calling for a return of gratitude and praise 
to Him whose covenant is sure, and who has prom- 
ised that He never will forsake His children whose 
trust and confidence are placed in Him alone. Sam- 
uel Tuke's presence and sweet little sermon added 
not a little to the weight and comfort of the occa- 
sion. I cannot pretend to tell thee who the speakers 
were ; I counted about twenty that I knew, and there 
were many that I did not know ; almost every one 
gave us a nice little sermon, and some of them were 
beautiful and most encouraging. 

May the Lord bless thee, my endeared friend, and 
keep thee every moment under the shadow of His 
holy wing, is my sincere prayer for thee. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



77 



The above letter refers to an engagement upon 
which E. P. Gurney was about entering to accom- 
pany her husband and their friend, Josiah Forster, in 
an extended visit of gospel love to France, Switzer- 
land, and some parts of Germany. Elizabeth Fry 
and one of her daughters were also of the company 
for a time. In pursuance of this prospect, they left 
England Fourth mo. ioth, 1843, with the full con- 
currence of their own meetings. E. P. G.'s deeply 
interesting experiences while on this journey are 
graphically described in the following letters and 
journal. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Paris, Fourth mo. 21st, 1843. 

My very dear Friend, — It was at some cost 
that I left England without seeing thee again, as I 
had quite persuaded myself thou would be at the 
morning meeting, though I confess my impression 
on parting with thee at the Grove was very different. 
I then felt almost sure it would be long before we 
met again. 

I have often thought of thee in our journey, how 
much there is in it that thou wouldst enjoy, and how 
many of my enjoyments would have been heightened 
by having thee with us to share their novelty with 
me. Being in France is an old story to all the party 



78 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

but myself, but to thee it would be equally striking 
and new, and I have often thought how greatly such 
and such a thing would have amused thee. Dear 
Anna has probably told thee of our arrival at Bou- 
logne, visit to Amiens, etc. We then went on to 
Clermont, where we had rather rude accommoda- 
tions, but the country about it is charming. Josiah 
Forster, whom we find a most agreeable and useful 
companion, took me off after breakfast into a wood 
to hear the nightingales, and very sweet they were. 
The weather, too, was lovely, and the views of 
Clermont and the finely-cultivated valleys from the 
neighboring hills exceeded anything I almost ever 
saw for charm and beauty, and would have thoroughly 
refreshed thee I am sure. 

It is certainly much more like travelling in Amer- 
ica than in England, and often reminds me of our tour 
through Cherry Valley, in the western part of the 
State of New York. The light and clean-looking 
houses with their green Venetian shutters and the 
frequent rows of poplars seem like old friends, while 
the bright sky and dry atmosphere almost beguile 
me into the belief that I have got back to my own 
native land. On the other hand, the difficulty of 
getting there was brought painfully home to me in 
my suffering sea-voyage, being scarcely able to 
hold up my head from the time we left Dover till 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



79 



we reached Boulogne. I think I scarcely ever was 
so ill at sea before, and yet the captain called it a 
fair passage. 

I think I mentioned in my letter to Anna, which I 
desired thou might see, that we visited a miserable 
prison at Amiens, — the people poorly employed and 
looking dirty and uncomfortable ; one poor boy shut 
up in the castle, a dismal, dungeon-like, unhealthy- 
looking place, so damp I should not think that any 
one could live there long. But at Clermont we 
visited a prison forming a striking contrast 4o this 
wretched place. It is on the silent system, and 
certainly the most favorable specimen I have seen. 
About nine hundred women, decently clothed, and 
busily employed, and looking really comfortable, 
were quite a cheering sight. We were not permitted 
to speak to them at all, nor even to our conductress, 
except in a whisper, and therefore the most pro- 
found silence reigned throughout, to relieve the 
monotony of which they occasionally break forth 
into hymn-singing. 

Some of them were engaged in beautiful embroid- 
ering, others in reeling and fine needle-work. Noth- 
ing could exceed the neatness of their sleeping 
apartments, about two hundred in each, high, airy, 
and most comfortable. They are under the care of 
the nuns, and I had just come to the conclusion that 



80 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

they really did deserve credit for this labor of love, 
as I supposed it to be, when we were told they were 
amply repaid for their services. This was a take-off 
certainly ; still one admires the perfect order and true 
cleanliness, and I for one am willing they should 
have their due. The superior conducted us over the 
house, and when we returned to the parlor we found 
about twenty nuns collected to receive us, dressed in 
their gray attire and neat white caps. They looked 
all joy at seeing us, and dear E. Fry spoke very 
nicely 4o them, which Katherine interpreted. Among 
other things she observed that we were all unprofit- 
able servants, and that however pleasant and right 
it was to be employed in good works, there was no 
merit due to the creature, that we must ascribe all 
praise, etc. The superior responded to her remarks 
until she came to this, when she directly said in a 
pathetic tone, " Oh, yes, I think there is a little merit 
in the performance of good deeds," to which an old 
nun, who seemed really spiritually-minded, with a 
very pleasant countenance, replied, " But Madame 
Fry means to convey to us that she gets such a re- 
ward at her heart when she does right that she has 
no need of anything more." It was a very interest- 
ing time, and they were certainly the most satisfac- 
tory set of " Papists," as Joseph calls them, that I 
have yet seen. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. gl 

From Clermont we came to Chantilly, a charming 
place, where we were quite refreshed. Here we saw 
the stables of the great Conde, which I suppose are 
the most remarkable things of the kind in the world, 
— beautiful stalls for two hundred horses, and the 
gilding of the harness ridiculously splendid. We 
did not go into the house, but the gardens are lovely. 
On Fourth day noon we reached Paris, and are now 
occupying pleasant rooms in a hotel in one of the 
finest parts of this magnificent city, for so it truly 
may be called. Nothing can be warmer or kinder 
than Aunt Fry's " dear friends," most of whom speak 
English, which is a relief to me, who only under- 
stand about five words in ten in French. At the 
urgent request of the Countess Pelet (who is an in- 
valid) we all called upon her yesterday, and I do not 
know when I have seen any one who interested me 
more, she appears to have such a truly Christian 
spirit and warm, affectionate heart ; they say she is so 
like Rachel Gurney. I was going to speak to her 
very ceremoniously, but she drew me towards her 
and gave me a hearty kiss. Joseph and I have just 
been paying her a social little visit in her carriage, 
which was at the door, and we thought we would go 
down and inquire how she was ; but she begged we 
would get in and sit with her a little while, and 
seemed so full of love that, although I am rather 



82 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

slow in forming friendships, I begin already to feel 
it would be quite easy to love her. We dine with 
them on Fourth day evening, and to-morrow are in- 
vited to the Mallets, which Joseph and myself have 
declined. We mean to spend an hour in the evening 
with them. E. Mallet is an interesting person, and 
quite religiously inclined. 

Last evening we had a chief from the Sandwich 
Islands and two or three other gentlemen, and this 
morning we have had a few callers, but the tide has 
not yet set in. It is a real trial to be in this land 
and not speak the language. It does not much sig- 
nify with regard to the " great" people, as many of 
them speak English, and I do not know that I have 
much to do with them at any rate; but when the 
flocks of interesting-looking people of the poorer 
class crowded around our carriage as we came along 
at every halting-place, and seemed so anxious to be 
noticed by us, I quite longed to talk to them. Thou 
wouldst have smiled to see the eagerness with which 
they seized upon the little books and tracts we scat- 
tered on the road, and how good-naturedly they 
laughed aloud when they missed catching them. 
Some of the women have such mild, sweet faces, 
and many of the children are quite charming. 



ELIZA P. GURNE\. 



83 



Meurice Hotel, Paris, Seventh day morning. 
My letter does not seem to give a true impression, 
it looks as if we were all sailing on so smoothly; 
but I assure thee, my beloved friend, we sometimes 
find ourselves in troubled waters, and once or twice 
have almost "shipped a sea." So far, however, the 
billows have not been permitted to overwhelm us, 
and a very sweet dream which I had a night or 
two since has given me fresh confidence that they 
never will. I went to bed rather disturbed and 
somewhat comfortless, but I seemed to have a little 
taste of heaven in my slumbers, and these sweet 
words were spoken in the gentlest, kindest, and 
most soothing accents, " Peace I leave with you ; 
my peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth, 
give I unto you." A noise awoke me, but the 
savor of this pledge, that our Lord is with His fol- 
lowers always, and that He will keep those in per- 
fect peace whose minds are stayed on Him, was 
truly precious, and remained for some time. Yester- 
day we made several calls, and in the evening had 
some interesting visitors. To-morrow morning we 
hold our little meeting in Ann Knight's lodging, 
and have a meeting in the evening in the French 
Methodist Chapel. I think Joseph is rather better 
for his journey, and my sister altogether nicely. 



8 4 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



Last evening we had a call from the Count and 
Countess Gasparin, and to-day from the Due de 
Broglie. The countess is one of the most pleasing 
persons I have yet seen. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Parts, Fifth mo. 12th, 1843. 
Our stay here has been full of interest, and though 
I have been in many respects led by the way of 
the cross, especially in being so continually in a 
crowd of people, yet altogether it has been more 
agreeable to me than I anticipated, and I have felt 
my heart really drawn in love towards several indi- 
viduals we have met with. The Countess Pelet and 
Madame Andre, very sweet and humble-minded Chris- 
tians, I have felt particularly interested in, and dearest 
Joseph and myself paid both of them a thorough 
friendly family visit, which they received with warm 
and hearty thanks. They have both been refined by 
adversity, and are very superior women naturally. 
I have also felt a great attraction to some of the 
young people : they speak English well, and manifest 
true cordiality towards us. We have had two very 
interesting evenings with them, but as I have given 
the particulars in some of my letters, which thou 
wilt probably see, it is scarcely worth while to repeat 
them. I forget whether I told thee that we dined 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



85 



with Guizot, and that he took a quiet family dinner 
with us, both of which occasions were highly satis- 
factory. He is a truly affable and polished gentle- 
man, and gave due attention to all the various sub- 
jects that were laid before him. His three dear 
children seemed much to enjoy coming to us, and a 
few mornings since I had them for an hour or two 
reading English with them, in which they have 
made some proficiency, and are greatly pleased with 
it. Yesterday we attended a meeting for the parents 
and children of the British and foreign schools, in 
which Joseph was most interestingly engaged, and 
in the evening he had a party, composed of about 
twenty of the first men in Paris, on the anti-slavery 
question. The ladies only remained in the room 
long enough to have a sight of these great person- 
ages and then withdrew, returning again to take a 
cup of tea with them at the close of the evening ; 
but Joseph and Josiah say it was a most interesting 
and relieving opportunity, enabling them fully to un- 
burthen their minds on this important subject, over 
which the French people are, I should fear, in great 
danger of going to sleep. However, I trust they 
were a little roused last evening. 

We have been to see all kinds of people, among 
the rest the Baron Rothschild and his lady, who re- 
ceived us most hospitably in their splendid mansion, 



86 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

which seems ready to groan under its costly and 
magnificent decorations. They wished us very much 
to come to dinner, but this we resolutely declined. 
We have been interested in meeting the daughters 
of Oberlin and Lafayette, both of whom are said to 
be serious persons. What the extent of seriousness 
and, above all, of self-denial in some of these pro- 
fessing Christians is it may be difficult to determine; 
happily, we are not their judges. I cannot but be- 
lieve many of them have been very seriously im- 
pressed under my dear sister's and husband's minis- 
trations. As to myself, I rank the little I have had 
to do very, very low, and feel sure my own heart 
needs thoroughly mending before I can do much 
toward cultivating the good seed in others. Yet I 
have been mercifully helped to be faithful to the little 
that is required, and have felt true peace in giving 
up my own stubborn will, which always, I think I 
may say, rises against it. 

First day morning. 

I must just add a line or two to tell thee about 
an evening which we all felt to be a most weighty 
occasion. For my own part, I may truly say, my 
heart was like lead all day, under the apprehension 
that I should have to declare some plain truths 
to a company of Protestants and Catholics, which 
it seemed to me it would be impossible to utter. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



87 



However, the rooms soon filled, and after dearest 
Joseph had addressed them very interestingly, I 
repeated the blessing that was pronounced on 
the children of Israel in the Sixth of Numbers : 
" The Lord bless thee and keep thee," etc. ; then 
observed that whilst I had desired the best of bless- 
ings might descend on every individual in that com- 
pany, even the blessing that makes truly rich and to 
which no sorrow is added, I had to remember the 
solemn words which were addressed to King Bel- 
shazzar : " Because thou hast not humbled thy heart, 
but hast lifted up thyself against the God of Heaven, 
and hast praised the gods of silver, of gold, of brass, 
of wood, and of stone, which see not, nor hear, nor 
know, and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and 
whose are all thy ways, thou hast not glorified, thou 
art weighed in the balances and found wanting : 
God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it;" 
and while I desired this solemn sentence might never 
go forth against any of us, I thought we might all 
acknowledge that, in one way or other, we too had 
been praising the gods of silver and gold, etc., and 
had not sufficiently glorified Him whose kingdom is 
an everlasting kingdom, and whose dominion is from 
generation to generation. Yet our God is a jealous 
God. He will not give His glory to another, nor His 
praise to any graven image ; He calls for the whole 



88 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

heart, quoting His answer to the young man who 
inquired, What must I do to inherit eternal life ? 
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart," and then directing all sin-sick souls to Him 
as the only Saviour, the Lamb of God, who taketh 
away the sins of the world, for " there is yet balm in 
Gilead, there is yet a physician there." My sister 
Fry followed very sweetly, confirming what I had 
said of giving Him the undivided heart, and Joseph 
finished in solemn supplication. I did not know 
how the Catholics would receive the doctrine; but 
to my comfort, several of them took me warmly by 
the hand and expressed their great satisfaction in 
what they had heard. Lafayette's daughter, who is 
one of the serious among them, seemed full of love, 
and said, " We have had a blessed evening." I can- 
not say the weight that was taken off my soul by 
being faithful, but it was no small effort, as thou 
mayst suppose. We had two of the ladies in wait- 
ing on the queen, the Baron Mallet and all his 
family, Lafavelle, Count Pelet, etc., amounting in all, 
I should think, to seventy persons or more. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

FONTAINEBLEAU, Fifth mo. 17th, 1 843. 

I think I sent thee my hasty journal up to Seventh 
day evening. On First day morning we had a sweet 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 89 

little meeting with about twenty persons in our own 

little meeting-house, and in the afternoon a large 

and memorable one, certainly the best we have had 

in Paris, in a fine airy room which we have occupied 

on First day afternoons, and found it answered well. 

Dear Joseph, I thought, was unusually helped, as 

well as my sister, and the people seemed brimful of 

kindness when the meeting closed. In the evening 

we had about seventy persons in our own hotel, 

English exclusively, and the day ended in peace. 

And now I must go back a little in my story and 

tell thee that when Guizot dined with us, about a 

week ago, my husband expressed his desire to see 

the king, to which he replied that he thought there 

would be no difficulty in obtaining an interview, and 

that he would undertake to arrange it. However, 

as several days elapsed and we heard nothing further, 

Josiah Forster called on Guizot, and informed him 

that Joseph was about leaving Paris ; but he did not 

receive much encouragement as to the probability of 

his obtaining an audience, and we had quite given 

up the expectation of it, so that after having visited 

the "Enfants Trouves," which is certainly one of the 

most affecting sights I ever witnessed, and spent a 

very pleasant evening with the delightful family of 

the Dellesseres, we were preparing for a start on 

Third day morning, having all our things packed 

8* 



9 o 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



up, when a letter comes from Guizot, announcing 
the king's pleasure that " Madame Fry and Mon- 
sieur and Madame Gurney" should wait upon him at 
Neuilly (his own private palace, about six miles from 
Paris) at half-past eleven the next day. Here was 
an end to our journey for the present, so our party 
amused and occupied themselves in various ways. 
For my own part, I was very glad of the opportunity 
of seeing the refuge for poor penitents, an admirably 
ordered institution, which I had much wished to see, 
and in the evening we were all interested in a nice 
party of talented gentlemen whom Aunt Fry had 
invited to meet her on the prison question. This 
afforded Joseph an opportunity of fully relieving his 
mind to several distinguished individuals, so that 
even in this respect the detention answered well. 
And now I must tell thee exactly what my feelings 
were on finding that I was included in the invitation 
to Neuilly, which was quite an unsolicited favor, 
though I confess my heart had been much attracted 
towards the royal family, and I thought more than 
once, " Had I mamma's faithfulness, I should ask for 
an interview." Notwithstanding, when the unlooked- 
for permission came, I was almost ready to decline 
the favor; but it seemed to be sealed on my spirit 
that if I went in simplicity, and was faithful to what 
was made manifest, I should feel a greater flow of 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. g l 

peace and joy than I had yet experienced since I 
came to Paris. So we dressed ourselves up in our 
neatest and away we went. My heart was none of 
the lightest, I assure thee, and when on observing to 
my sister that I thought we must not shrink from 
doing our duty, whatever it might be, she replied 
that when she was with the king, some years ago, it 
seemed almost impossible to introduce anything of 
a serious nature, the load was increased, and by the 
time we reached the palace I felt sober enough, 
being almost convinced, from a certain sort of op- 
pression which never deceives me, that so surely as 
I went into the palace I should have to request to 
have a religious opportunity with the part of the 
royal family we might happen to see. We were 
shown into the king's reception-room, where we 
remained about five minutes, and were then ushered 
into the presence of the queen, the Princess Ade- 
laide, the king's sister, and three or four ladies in 
waiting, beside the aides-de-camp. The queen re- 
ceived us with the greatest kindness, desired us to 
be seated, inquired about our visit to Paris, journey 
for the summer, etc., and in a few minutes the truly 
intelligent and agreeable-looking king appeared. 
We all rose to receive him, according to etiquette, 
but he begged us to be seated, and on finding I was 
from Philadelphia, he spoke with apparent pleasure 



9 2 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



of having attended Friends' meeting in Second 
Street before I was born. My sister Fry then al- 
luded to the affecting circumstance of the sudden 
death of the Duke of Orleans, which they have all 
felt extremely, and expressed her sympathy for 
them, and afterward she introduced the prison sub- 
ject. Then Joseph gave them a short account of the 
present state of the free West India Islands. They 
listened with great attention to both statements, and 
we had some interesting conversation in reference to 
them ; but I found I dare not leave it here, and ac- 
tually had courage to request permission to express 
what was resting on my mind toward them. They 
instantly bowed assent, the king saying, " Certainly, 
certainly," in the most gracious manner, and after a 
short pause I was strengthened to address them for 
several minutes in an unexcited manner, and with 
more quietness of spirit than I have often known 
when speaking to the humblest individual. I think 
in mercy I was raised above all fear for the moment; 
the ladies, including the queen, directly dropped 
their worsted work in which- they were busily en- 
gaged, and they were all profoundly attentive until 
I had done, when the king in the kindest manner 
exclaimed, " Allow me to return you our heartfelt 
thanks for your good wishes and prayers for our 
family," with several other very kind expressions, to 



ELIZA P. GVRNEY. gj 

which the queen and Princess Adelaide most cordi- 
ally responded. Then my sister and Joseph in a 
few appropriate sentences set their seal to what I 
had said, and desired their heavy afflictions might 
work for them a far more exceeding and eternal 
weight of glory, etc. 

After the interchange of a few kind expressions 
we rose to depart, when the queen with a great deal 
of feeling turned towards me and observed, " I must 
thank you from my heart for your prayers for us," 
to which the Princess Adelaide subjoined, " Yes, 
from our hearts we thank you," and the king, coming 
forward and putting out his hand, said in the kindest 
manner, "Allow me to shake you by the hand, and 
again express my warmest and most grateful thanks." 
So thou seest I was abundantly rewarded, even in 
this way, for my first act of dedication before the 
great ones of the earth. After we left the palace, 
Joseph said he had been so reminded of thy 
prophecy that " I would one day see more of royalty 
than ever my sister Fry had done," and insisted upon 
my putting down, as nearly as I could remember it, 
just what I had communicated and send it to thee, 
which I have accordingly done. But thou must not 
expose it, lest it may convey the notion of my feel- 
ing myself of some importance in the world, when 
truly I never felt so utterly unequal to do any good 



9 4 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

thing in my own strength, and seldom have I known 
such seasons of deep abasedness of spirit as during 
our truly interesting stay in Paris. I began with 
saying, " Whilst I have earnestly desired that the best 
of blessings may descend upon the king and queen 
of the French, and upon every member of the royal 
family, my heart has been touched by the remem- 
brance that even kings and princes are not exempt 
from the common lot of humanity, but that the in- 
teresting circle now before, me have had to partake 
largely of the bitter draught of adversity," and I 
begged to be permitted to remind them of the words 
of sacred Scripture : " The Lord doth not willingly 
afflict nor grieve the children of men, but whom He 
loveth He chasteneth ; and as a tender father pitieth 
his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him, 
for He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we 
are dust." 

" My heart has been tendered under a sense of the 
painful exemplification which the royal family of 
France have lately had of the succeeding words : 
' As for man, his days are as grass, as a flower of the 
field so he flourished! ; for the wind passeth over it 
and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no 
more.' Yet sad as are these reflections, how con- 
soling is the assurance of the Psalmist, ' That the 
mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



95 



on them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto 
children's children to all those who keep His cove- 
nant and remember His commandments to do them.' 
May I then be allowed to express my ardent desire 
for the king and queen of the French, that by faith- 
fully keeping their covenant with their God, and re- 
membering all His commandments to do them, they 
may know that peace which passeth all understand- 
ing to rest upon them ; yea, that their peace may ever 
flow as a river, and that the mercy of their God and 
Father may descend upon their children and their 
children's children to all generations; and finally, 
being washed and made white in the precious foun- 
tain of a Saviour's blood, they may through the 
abounding love and mercy of God in Christ Jesus 
our Lord be received into that kingdom of eternal 
blessedness where the wicked cease from troubling 
and the weary are at rest, where kings lay down their 
sceptres and worship Him who is the blessed and 
only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 
and who is indeed both now and everlastingly worthy 
of all our service, adoration, thanksgiving, and praise." 
There were tears in the queen's Qyes } I believe, 
more than once, and she seemed particularly to feel 
the allusion to the sudden removal of her son, which 
has, we understand, been a great blow to them 
all. . . . 



9 6 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



I wanted to tell thee about our affecting visit to 
the " Enfants Trouves," where we saw hundreds of 
poor little new-born babies, bleating like lambs for 
their mothers. They told us they received about 
thirteen a day, of whom about one-third die. Their 
little curtained beds looked truly pretty, and I en- 
joyed quieting several of the poor little innocents by 
patting them on their backs. They wrap them up in 
thick blankets, so that they can neither move hand 
nor foot, and nothing can exceed the pallid and 
almost deathlike appearance of many of them. 

J. J. Gurney to Anna Backhouse. 

The loveliest of all the ladies whom we have seen 
and to whom thy mother has been attracted is the 
Duchess of Orleans, whom we visited by appointment 
yesterday morning. She received us alone at the 
Tuileries in the kindest and most open manner, and 
interested us very deeply. She is simple, refined, 
unaffected, and warm-hearted, of a slender frame, 
and a most pleasing countenance. She spoke most 
affectionately of " Aunt Fry," and after some easy 
friendly conversation thy dear mother proposed si- 
lence, which was immediately complied with. Soon 
afterwards she addressed the duchess, who speaks 
and understands English well, with remarkable force 
and clearness, expressing the deep and tender sym- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



97 



pathy which she had felt for her before leaving Eng- 
land ; citing various passages of Scripture relating 
to those sudden and terrible afflictions which are 
sometimes permitted, and contrasting them with 
others ; depicting the rich and abundant consola- 
tions of the gospel ; declaring her belief that, should 
further troubles assail her, she would be supported 
and comforted, quoting the twentieth Psalm, " The 
Lord hear thee in the day of trouble ;" and that her 
prayers for herself and her children were and would 
be answered. The scene was truly touching. 

E. P. G. to M. A. Williams. 

Fifth mo. 28th, 1843, 

We are now among the dear, simple-hearted 
friends of Nimes, having paid a most interesting and 
memorable visit of a week at Lyons. Two of the 
evenings especially I think we shall not soon forget. 
Between two and three hundred persons were as- 
sembled at our hotel, and after interesting them for 
about an hour, the first evening on the subject of 
emancipation, and the second on the desirableness 
of improvement in prison discipline, the advantage 
of the solitary system, etc., we gradually got into 
a profound silence, and had one of the most solemn 
religious meetings I ever attended. 

Then we came to Avignon, where we had two 

9 



9 8 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



sweet little meetings, and arrived here yesterday, 
greatly to our satisfaction. We go to Congenies 
next week, and then to Switzerland. Will it not be 
a treat to see that lovely country ? 

E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Valence, Sixth mo. 18th, 1843. 

Dear Joseph has been extremely ill, and is only 
now so far recovered as to enable us to go forward 
toward Geneva by easy journeys and with great 
care. Thou mayst imagine what it has been to 
have him laid low with an alarming attack of fever 
at Congenies, a little village in which it is difficult to 
obtain the very necessaries of life, ten miles from a 
medical man in whom we could have any confidence, 
and the dwelling we were in quite as rough as the 
log houses in the backwoods of America. However, 
this rude abode was made comfortable and even pleas- 
ant to us by the kind and affectionate attentions of 
the dear friend to whom it belonged, but, above all, 
by the lifting up of the light of the countenance of 
Him in whose presence, even under the most painful 
circumstances, there is fulness of joy. 

The meetings have been very large and satisfac- 
tory, and truly cheering it has been to find so many 
weary of the form and panting for the substance, 
awaking to the truth of the apostle's doctrine that 









ELIZA P. GURNEY. qq 

"the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." At 
Lyons, Chalons, Avignon, and Nimes we found this 
most especially the case, and in each place we had 
large public meetings, besides the smaller towns and 
villages in all their neighborhoods. 

It was most pleasant when we got to Nimes to 
sit down once again with our own friends, who have a 
little meeting there, composed of six or seven families 
and the dear children at the school, which has been 
lately opened, and promises to be a real blessing to 
the little band at Nimes and Congenies, in whom 
we felt a deep and lively interest. Christine Majolier, 
whose name I do not doubt thou hast often heard, is 
a superior person, and a great stay to the society 
about these parts. Indeed, I do not know what 
they would do without her, as she is clerk both 
for the men and women at the Two-Months' Meeting, 
and a most useful person every way. 

E. P. G. to her Aunt Paul. 

Seventh mo., 1843. 

My last, I think, was sent from Valence to my 
sister Julia, and I know you will be glad to hear 
that since that time my beloved husband has made 
steady progress toward the recovery of his health, 
and that I have now the true comfort of seeing him 
stronger and better than he has been for a twelve- 



I0 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

month. Indeed, he often says he feels quite well 
again. This is an unspeakable favor, and one for 
which I desire to be duly thankful. After we left 
Valence, we spent a few days at Grenoble, where we 
had some large and interesting meetings with the 
little band of Protestants who reside there. 

We then proceeded to Geneva, and remained in 
the neighborhood about three weeks. Many cir- 
cumstances combined to make this period one of the 
most interesting of our summer tour. In the first 
place, it was our introduction into Switzerland, — a 
country which I have had a longing to visit all my life, 
and which, now I have seen it, I can acknowledge 
not only equals, but far exceeds my expectations 
with regard to its unique character of picturesque 
loveliness. In the next place, we became acquainted 
with several excellent and eminent persons, for whom 
Geneva is celebrated, — D'Aubigne, the author of the 
" Reformation," who is one of the finest and most 
sensible-looking men I ever saw; Gaussen, the author 
of the " Theopneustic," also a highly-talented and 
serious man ; and with the Baroness de Stael we 
were extremely pleased, a thoroughly accomplished 
lady, yet an humble Christian. 

The most striking time we had, however, was on 
the occasion of a breakfast to which my husband and 
Josiah Forster thought it right to invite many of the 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. I0I 

serious people of Geneva, including about twelve or 
fifteen pastors, some of them truly spiritually-minded 
men I have no doubt. We had a pleasant, social 
meal, and afterward a memorable meeting, which 
seemed to bring us very near together, making us 
realize our Saviour's words : " One is your Master, 
even Christ, and all ye are brethren. " Their hearts 
w T ere full of love and kindness when they parted 
from us, and I quite believe our coming together 
was not in vain. 

Extracts from E. P. G.'s Journal. 

Geneva, Seventh mo. ioth, 1843. — I cannot pre- 
tend to describe the loveliness of our drive from 
Grenoble to Chambery. The fertile valley of 
Idere, with its beautifully-trellised vines, its flowery 
chestnut-trees, its bright green fields of grass and 
grain, with here and there a well-filled team or two, 
surrounded by the happy haymakers, both men 
and women, the latter with their gypsy hats and 
cherry-colored handkerchiefs and aprons, formed 
one of the most charming pictures I have ever seen. 
The effect was magical, and it became a perfect fairy- 
scene when, added to all this, upon our right the 
snow-clad Alps of almost dazzling whiteness burst 
on the view, and to the left the rock-ribbed moun- 
tains formed a magnificent and towering battlement 



102 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

for many miles. The cold expression of the eternal 
snows contrasted strangely with the almost golden 
flood of light and heat that poured upon us from a 
burning sun, and we could scarcely think the whole 
was no illusion. The next day we reached Annecy, 
and had a lovely row upon the lake just as the sun 
was setting. The scenery was truly beautiful. 

On Fourth day noon we got to this sweet home, 
and found most pleasant rooms provided for us on 
the Rhone. 

On Fifth day we took the steamer for Vevay, 
and a delightful excursion we had. The mountain- 
scenery, as you approach Vevay, is truly charming, 
and our hotel in the best situation possible for an 
entire view of it. On Sixth day morning we took a 
carriage and drove to Villeneuve, stopping to see 
John Backhouse's delightful residence upon the lake, 
where they had spent six months some years ago. 

We looked at Chillon, too, with real interest, and 
my husband sketched it. The footprints in the 
prison-floor, worn by poor Bonnivard, and the islet 
with " three trees," so exactly answering to the 
poet's lines, were curiously attractive, for I thought 
I had grown far too prosaic to care aught about 
them. And then I do so utterly condemn Lord 
Byron's course, I hardly liked to be so influenced by 
his productions. Had he but used his master-mind 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



IO3 



to improve and not demoralize his species, we can- 
not calculate the vast results. This observation will 
apply with equal or greater force to that incalculably 
naughty man, Napoleon, who is almost idolized in 
France for his bad deeds. 

At Villeneuve, which is at the head of the lake, 
we again took the steamer and returned to this place. 
Just before we landed a sweet-looking lady came up 
to me and introduced herself by saying she believed 
I had seen her sister, the Princess of Orange, at the 
Hague. I replied that my husband had;. on which 
she immediately rejoined, " Oh, I was sure that must 
be Mr. Gurney, from my sister's description of him." 
We had some pleasant conversation afterward, dear 
Joseph joining us, and yesterday morning she called, 
attended by her lady in waiting. It appears she is 
the eldest daughter of the king of Wiirtemberg, and 
is married to the son of the husband of Maria Louisa 
(former wife of Napoleon). His name is Niepberg. 
There is something remarkably sweet and simple 
about her, and at my husband's suggestion I wrote 
her a little note. 

Seventh mo. 25th, 1843. — We are now happily 
out of Geneva without the weight of a feather 
upon us, but truly the three weeks that we passed 
in its vicinity had as much of weight and trial 
in them as it was easy at seasons to bear. There 



I04 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

are many very interesting and highly intellectual 
people at Geneva, and many high professors. How 
much there is of simple, genuine, unmixed Chris- 
tianity is not for us to judge. There is much 
diversity of sentiment, and perhaps some want of 
charity, among them. There were, however, sev- 
eral pastors who appeared to be really devoted men, 
with whose company we were much pleased. A 
strong prejudice evidently existed against women's 
ministry, of which we heard as soon as we arrived; 
and, with the burden which was certainly laid upon 
me towards the people, I was placed in the most 
painful and apparently indissoluble bonds. I scarcely 
know which was the most annoying, the objection in 
the minds of some, or the strong curiosity and in- 
clination in others, inducing them to beg that I 
would speak. But truly our merciful Lord does 
make a way for us where we can see no way. Did 
any ever trust in Him and were confounded? Our 
first meeting was in our own hotel, and very satisfac- 
tory ; afterward my husband gave an account of his 
visit to the West Indies to a large company in the 
Casino, six or seven hundred. He told his story 
well, giving it a very instructive turn toward the 
close, reminding them that there w T as a slavery even 
more terrible and more to be dreaded than that 
under which the poor Africans groaned, — the cruel 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



105 



bondage of a tyrannizing world ; directing their 
attention to the one great Liberator, whose blessed 
office it is to burst every bond and let the oppressed 
go free. Nothing could exceed the solemn silence 
which prevailed throughout, and I believe it was a 
time of favor that will be long remembered by many. 
On First day evening he had a large meeting for 
worship at the Casino, which was also very satisfac- 
tory, and in the course of the week we paid several 
social visits, which ended with religious opportuni- 
ties. On Second day morning, intending to leave 
the next day, we gave a breakfast to all the " pas- 
tors" at Geneva and several other serious gentlemen, 
amounting in all to about twenty-one. We had a 
very pleasant meal, and after my husband had read 
a portion of Scripture, and addressed them in a beau- 
tiful and appropriate manner, I was constrained to 
relieve my mind toward those who were " ambassa- 
dors for Christ." It was no small trial to me to be 
faithful on this occasion, especially as the two min- 
isters who were said to be so entirely opposed to 
women's ministry were sitting near me; but instead 
of being offended by what I said, they were as 
cordial as possible afterward, hoping the Lord might 
bless our labors of love, and expressing with many 
others the comfort and satisfaction they had had in 
the opportunity. 



io 6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

In the evening we took tea at Colonel Frouchin's, 
where we again met with several of our morning 
company, and many more, a party probably of sixty- 
five or seventy. A very sweet evening we had, 
visiting the capital chalet which this truly liberal 
man has erected for the sick poor, at his own ex- 
pense and on his own grounds. We had a religious 
opportunity with the inmates, I hope to their re- 
freshment, and afterwards with the party at the 
chateau, to our own relief and comfort. 

u Ifye then be risen with Christ, seek those things 
that are above," etc. Their hearts seemed to over- 
flow with love and kindness toward us, and we 
parted from them not expecting to see their faces 
again in this scene of mutability ; but, to our sur- 
prise and pleasure, a few of them waylaid us on our 
road next day to take a final leave. It was very 
bright and cheering to see them once again, and the 
effort which they made for it, waiting some time in 
the heat, proved their sincerity. At Yverdun and 
Neufchatel my dear husband had good service in 
meetings appointed in the Oratoire, and therefore, of 
course, I could have no part in them, as women are 
not allowed to speak in their churches. 

We are now at Berne (Seventh mo. 30th), and 
expecting to hold a meeting in our inn this evening 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. l0 y 

We reached this place on Fifth day evening, and 
on Sixth day noon we took a drive to Hofwyl. I 
cannot say that the spirit of this place is very satis- 
factory, and greatly fear that, commendable as Fel- 
lenberg's system is in many respects, there is not 
a full recognition of Divine truth to be found in it, 
and hence is an indescribable chilliness over the 
whole thing, which is very uncomfortable. 

Zurich, Eighth mo. 7th. — We had a truly satis- 
factory meeting at Berne on First day evening. A 
burthened mind was my portion all through the 
day, which is always an earnest, and often a fearful 
one, that I shall have some part to take in the vocal 
service; and after my dear husband had been very 
interestingly engaged for nearly an hour, I had to 
employ him as my interpreter while I warned the 
assembly, composed as it was of serious people, of 
the danger of self-confidence, and pointed out the 
necessity of placing our whole dependence upon 
Him who can alone preserve us from the power of 
the enemy. " Let him who thinketh he standeth 
take heed lest he fall." 

The meeting ended very solidly, and we had sev- 
eral serious persons in our saloon afterward. On 
Second day morning we left Berne (where we also 
visited a school for orphans and a refuge for naughty 
boys, both well conducted), and made a lovely ex- 



I0 8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

cursion to the Oberland. My husband wished to 
have meetings at Thun, Interlachen, and Lauter- 
brunnen, and none of us had any objection to feast 
our eyes on the delicious scenery with which this 
part of Switzerland abounds. 

Grindelwald especially has the most unique char- 
acter of picturesque loveliness, — the beautiful Swiss 
cottages, with their outside staircases and latticed 
balconies, forming a highly ornamental feature in the 
charming landscape ; the happy-looking peasants in 
their bright costumes ; the Alpine horns reverberating 
through the mountain fastnesses ; the thrilling " Ranz 
des Vaches," sung with peculiar sweetness by the 
mountaineers; the bounding goats, led frequently 
by children down the winding paths ; the wondrous 
glaciers, so blue and beautiful, which mock descrip- 
tion ; and now and then a thundering avalanche 
comes rolling down the distant mountain-side, 
adding fresh charm to this enchanting spot. But, 
beyond and above all, the towering Bernese Alps, 
capped with eternal snows, burst on your marvelling 
and delighted sight at every turn. Of these, the 
Jungfrau, Eiger, Monch, etc., are conspicuous; and 
of the beautiful dark mountains in the Oberland, the 
Niesen stands unrivalled. 

A pious old schoolmaster resides near the falls 
(which are highly beautiful), who informed us that 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l0 g 

his grandchildren were the finest singers of the 
" Ranz des Vaches" on the mountains, and directly 
summoned them to make good his word, which they 
did, I have no doubt, for such extraordinary power 
of the human voice I never met with. My husband, 
who seldom loses an opportunity of doing good, 
had a nice little meeting with them afterward, and 
the tears trickled down the old schoolmaster's face 
while he addressed them. 

Basel, Eighth mo. nth, 1843. — After we left Thun 
we came to Lucerne, where, although way did not 
open for a meeting, we were pleased with having some 
communication with a serious gentleman and his wife, 
by the name of Bost: he is a young pastor just 
about to settle at Amiens. In the afternoon we had 
a delightful row on the lake, which is one of the 
most romantic we have yet seen, and its four arms 
(the "Quatre Bras") curious and beautiful. From 
Lucerne we had a pleasant drive to Zurich ; Mount 
Pilatus rising up in isolated and silent dignity to 
take his leave of us on our departure. I think this 
is my favorite of all the unsnowed mountains, it 
looks so thoroughly majestic, and then its outline is 
so bold, irregular, and truly fine. The clouds are 
said always to gather on it, and it was capped with 
them while we were there, dark, lowering thunder- 
clouds, which added to the grand effect I think. 

10 



110 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



When we arrived at Zurich we found that Gessner, 
the venerable old pastor, whom we hoped to see, was 
just deceased, and that funeral sermons were to be 
preached for him in the different chapels on the fol- 
lowing Sabbath. This, I have no doubt, contributed 
to the solemnity of the meeting which my husband 
held in the evening, and which proved a remarkably 
satisfactory one. Our new friend, Matilda Esher, 
who belongs to the same class as Christine Majolier 
and Sophia Wurstenberger, useful and independent, 
had got the meeting up in a suitable apartment in 
her brother's house. His sermon was a very inter- 
esting comment upon the text, " Not many wise, 
not many mighty, not many noble are called," and 
seemed to make a deep impression on the attentive 
hearers. 

While we were at Zurich we paid a delightful visit 
to our dear friend the Countess Pelet, who, with her 
amiable husband, was at Baden-Baden, about twelve 
miles off. She received us with the utmost cordial- 
ity, and said she could not refrain from weeping 
when she found she must leave the neighborhood 
the next day, and therefore resign all hope of seeing 
us, as her health was too delicate to make the exer- 
tion to come to us. She is certainly the finest 
woman we have seen on the Continent, both as re- 
gards the natural powers of her comprehensive mind, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. Iir 

her superior cultivation, and the soundness and set- 
tlement of her religious principles. We seem to 
have been drawn together by a very strong bond, 
and I trust our Christian friendship may not end 
here. 

At Zurich we were much interested in visiting the 
unmarried daughter of Lavater, who resides in the 
house in which he was born. She is evidently a 
woman of a sorrowful spirit, apparently too refined 
and sensitive to pass easily through the roughnesses 
of this world, but alive in the truth, and cheered upon 
her dark and thorny way by the blessed hope of a 
glorious immortality. She showed us a small library 
of her father's manuscript books, and appears to have 
the highest veneration for his memory. 

We had a large and very interesting meeting at 
Schaffhausen, in which dear Joseph was well inter- 
preted by a nice young man, and toward the close 
of the meeting I was considerably frightened by feel- 
ing a concern to rise, as he could only translate from 
French into German, and that I could not speak. 
However, in a little faith, I ventured to commence in 
English ; my husband kindly put it into French, and 
the interpreter into German, sentence by sentence, 
until I had done, and the meeting ended under a 
covering of much solemnity. 

We left Schaffhausen on Fifth day morning, 



II2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

and came on to Basel, where we now are, in the 
poorest accommodations we have had in Switzer- 
land. On our way thither we visited Burgen, a 
well-conducted institution, under the care of Zeller, 
a man of good spirit and respectable abilities ; his 
wife seems an efficient helper, and both the children 
and the young men who are preparing for teachers 
looked very agreeable. The spirit of the whole 
thing was a perfect contrast to Hofwyl, where there 
is more talent, more display, more exact arrange- 
ment, and more completeness in many ways, but far 
less of the one great charm of all benevolent estab- 
lishments, — the integrity and simplicity of the truth 
as it is in Jesus. At Burgen my husband had an 
interesting little meeting with the thirty-five young 
men who are qualifying themselves for teachers, and 
w r hen we came down to the yard we found the chil- 
dren, who had been in the fields at work, all assem- 
bled to meet us. Both he and Josiah addressed 
them, to which, at the request of their master, they 
returned a hearty "Danke!" in full concert, and we 
parted from them very agreeably impressed with the 
good order of this establishment. 

Basel, Eighth mo. 14th. — On First day morning 
we had our own little meeting, in which my hus- 
band was engaged in supplication very sweetly, and 
I had afterward to express a few words, to my 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. H 3 

humiliation, for it is seldom more trying to me to 
speak than in these very small assemblies composed 
of our own party. 

In the evening we had a larger meeting at the 
Mission House, in which my husband was very 
solemnly engaged, both in ministry and prayer, and 
afterward we partook of the humble supper of the 
missionaries. 

Carlsruhe, Eighth mo. 16th, 1843. — On Second 
day morning we left Basel, and came on to Stras- 
burg, where, after a time of no small suffering, we 
had a large and relieving meeting. My own mind 
had been very much attracted to this place, yet as the 
meeting was to be held at the Oratoire, there seemed 
no possibility of relief, as we have always under- 
stood that there was an entire prohibition to women 
speaking there. However, my husband had some 
conversation with the pastor on the subject, and 
found, to his surprise, that not only did no objection 
exist in his mind against it, but that he was quite 
willing to prepare the minds of the people, in case I 
should have anything to say, by informing them 
what were the views of Friends on the subject of 
women's ministry, which he did in German, and, 
moreover, as I afterwards understood, assured them 
that I would address them, so that it was very well I 

had something given me to say, which I had very 

10* 



U4 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



little expectation would be the case when I went to 
meeting. 

We had a very nice meeting in the evening, and 
when two young men who attempted to interpret 
for my husband failed, a sweet young girl from India, 
whom Hoffman beckoned to, stepped up upon the 
platform and translated beautifully from English 
into German, without the least forwardness, but also 
without the least hesitation. The next day we went 
to see the celebrated prison at Ludwigsburg, in 
which there are about nine hundred prisoners, all 
men. The regulations appear to be good, but they 
are sadly crowded together, the prison being only 
intended for five hundred. We visited five of the 
wards, and the poor creatures seemed very much 
touched with what was said to them. Some of the 
soldiers also looked greatly interested, and although 
much of the seed, no doubt, fell into stony and thorny 
places, some, I trust, also was sown in good ground. 
And now, at the close of this truly remarkable journey, 
in which we have been led as the blind by away that 
we knew not, and wherein we are bound to confess 
that darkness has again and again been made light 
before us and crooked things straight, what can we 
do but unite in the acknowledgment, " O Lord, 
righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us 
confusion of face as at this day." May each one of 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



US 



our party return home refreshed and deepened in 
the root of life. 

Brussels, Eighth mo. 25th, 1843. — We are now 
rapidly wending our way homeward. For my own 
part, I feel as if I had not the burthen of a feather 
upon me; and though, on a retrospect of this deeply 
interesting journey, which has occupied nearly five 
months, it is sensibly impressed upon my spirit that 
so various have been my besetments and so mani- 
fold my infirmities, that the unmeasured and im- 
measurable mantle of a Saviour's love alone could 
cover them, yet through the tender mercy of that 
gracious God, whose penetrating eye sees through 
them all, even to the depth of my weak heart's sin- 
cerity, a precious feeling of sweet peace is given me, 
in which I can most gratefully adopt the language, 
" Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, 
according to Thy word." 

Calais, Eighth mo. 29th, 1843. — We made some 
agreeable acquaintances at Brussels, among whom 
were the Baron du Bois, Pastor Panchaud, and an 
English lady named Peterson, who appeared to be 
well employed in philanthropic objects ; and on First 
day evening we had a large meeting in the saloon 
of the hotel, in which Joseph was for some time 
very interestingly engaged. The next morning we 
left Brussels with unclouded minds ; and here we 



U6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

are, waiting for the packet of to-morrow. It gives 
us a nice opportunity for getting a little into the 
quiet before we encounter the full home stream. 

The following letters, although in some respects a 
recapitulation of the journal already quoted, are pre- 
served as giving some new views of the events of this 
interesting tour. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Nimes, Sixth mo. 3d, 1843. 
I think I sent my last letter from Lyons, but I 
believe I did not tell thee of the intense suffering I 
had in going there. It seemed to me almost impos- 
sible to endure life any longer, and I wept as we 
went along until I was completely ill. However, a 
quiet evening and good night brought me round a 
little, and in the morning we began to inquire what 
was to be done in that great place, the second city 
in France. Presently the Pastor Cordes called, and 
on Joseph's asking permission to attend his chapel 
and address the people, if he found it required of 
him, it was cheerfully granted him. The ladies, 
however, were given to understand that it was con- 
trary to the law of the Sanhedrim for women to 
speak in the churches. I saw my dear husband's 
countenance fall directly, but my naughty heart was 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. lX y 

ready to jump for joy. The pastor, however, kindly 
offered even to interpret for me if we should have a 
meeting in our own hotel, but I hoped never to 
trouble him. I think I told thee that the attendance 
of the meeting at the chapel, and of one on the 
succeeding evening, was very satisfactory, the last 
particularly so ; and on Sixth day evening we 
had a reunion of about one hundred and seventy 
persons in the large and accommodating rooms of 
our hotel. My soul was in greater heaviness all the 
evening than I can describe, and after Joseph had 
told them some interesting facts connected with 
emancipation, my spirit was enfranchised from its 
bonds, in comparison with which I would hope the 
fetters of the poor slave are light, or how can it be 
possible for him to wear them year by year? 

I was mercifully helped to deliver a very close 
communication to a mixed company, and felt true 
peace afterward. A very nice young gentleman, 
named Perrin, interpreted for me. Our Pastor 
Cordes was present and two other ministers, and the 
whole company seemed full of love and cordiality. 
My husband closed the meeting with solemn sup- 
plication, and a more interesting evening we never 
had. We always distribute books, which they re- 
ceive most gladly. On Seventh day morning we 
took breakfast with a Christian lady by the name of 



H8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Evesque, who was truly kind to us. She has a 
beautiful place a few miles from Lyons, and it was 
quite a treat to enjoy the charming prospect and 
delightful breezes. She afterward took us to the 
principal prison, where we were met by a gentleman 
of rank, a nice man, but a stanch Catholic. He sat 
right before me the evening before, which did not 
make it any easier to speak plainly of the sinfulness 
of idol worship. We went over the prison arm-in- 
arm, and at last, to my humiliation, I had to stop 
and address the female prisoners, many of whom 
wept much and really seemed to feel the opportu- 
nity. But I believe I touched upon a tender chord 
in quoting our Saviour's memorable words as He 
approached Jerusalem : " If thou hadst known the 
things that belong unto thy peace, but now are they 
hid from thine eyes, therefore your house is left 
unto you desolate," remarking on the sad desolation 
which sin and transgression had introduced into 
their houses, separating the wife from the husband, 
the mother from her child, etc. ; that by coming 
to this Saviour in living faith, and proving that 
faith by a thorough amendment of life, they might 
yet know their peace to flow as a river. I had also 
to speak to a large company of boys, who behaved 
well, but looked hardened enough for anything. 
Dear Joseph spoke in several of the wards, and, con- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. H 9 

trary to what we learn has been their usual custom, 
the way was most completely opened for us. There 
has been a division among the Protestants in Lyons, 
and those who go to the Temple call the seceders 
Methodists ; whereas they consider the Temple 
attenders to be little better than Unitarians. My 
husband wished to have a meeting with the last on 
First day evening, but it was contrary to their rules 
to admit a stranger. However, the pastor kindly 
offered to invite his congregation to attend a meet- 
ing at the hotel, and as some notice was also given 
to the chapelites, we had a mixed company of about 
three hundred persons, — Catholics, Unitarians, and 
Methodists. After a time of no small suffering we 
had a most interesting and relieving meeting. A 
few explanatory words from Joseph, and then I had 
to preach the longest sermon, if such I may venture 
to call it, that ever I did in my life, and though it 
was certainly the plain, unvarnished truth, it was 
well received, many thanking me afterwards in the 
kindest manner. 

The country about Avignon is beautiful ; the fig, 
the olive, and the vine flourish in great abundance, 
and quite delight the eye at every turn. But I must 
tell thee of our visit to the old palace of the Pope. 
A part of it is now used for the barracks of the 
military, and our little guide conducted us into a 






I2 o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

room adjoining their apartments, while she went to 
look for an older escort. I soon became tired of 
waiting, and altogether rather low, not having much 
pleasure in sight-seeing at any time; but it all at 
once occurred to me that it was a pity not to turn 
our idle moments to some account, so I proposed to 
Joseph to endeavor to have a little serious conversa- 
tion with the soldiers who were lounging about in 
the next room. It seemed rather an experiment, but 
nothing could answer better. They seemed to me 
to think that war was the one great object of their 
existence, so I begged Joseph to tell them that all 
wars must come to an end, but that the immortal 
soul would live forever, therefore it was the one 
great business of life to have it cleansed from its 
pollutions and prepared for a happy eternity. They 
looked really thoughtful, and listened to him for 
some time with great attention. I felt much more 
cheerful afterward, and concluded we might be in 
the way of our duty even when apparently in the 
neglect of it. In the afternoon we had a most 
striking visit to a capital institution for disabled 
officers, numbers of whom we found sitting under 
the shade of the fine old elms ; and as we walked 
about we joined the different groups, and literally 
had meetings by stealth with very many of them. 
Joseph managed to interest and attract their atten- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. I2 i 

tion by relating an anecdote of Napoleon, for whose 
memory they have the most unbounded veneration, 
which was told him by a gentleman we met on board 
the steamer. It was the Abbe Coquereau, who went 
to St. Helena to bring home the Emperor's remains. 
He said he became entirely convinced of the truth 
of religion, and died a Christian. Joseph took the 
opportunity to impress on the officers that if this 
account were true, it must have been through sin- 
cere repentance and change of heart, as our Lord 
declared, " Ye must be born again or ye can never 
enter the kingdom of heaven." One of the old sol- 
diers expressed a belief (which I imagine is common 
among them) that if a man die in battle he is sure 
to die happy, and we reminded him of our Saviour's 
words, " If you die in your sins, whither I go ye 
cannot come ;" that many fall in the midst of their 
sins, consequently there is no ground for hope that 
such will be received into rest and blessedness. It 
was a most interesting and striking time, and we felt 
that our visit there was rightly ordered. 

We got to Nimes on Fifth day evening, just in time 
to sit down with the little band of Friends ; and truly 
sweet it was to be with them, not having been at a 
regular meeting of Friends before since we left Eng- 
land. There is nothing like it, I am persuaded, and 
I believe I shall always stick to the old ship, let who 



I2 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

will forsake it. After making a very satisfactory visit 
here, having had some large meetings and reunions, 
which Christine, who is our kind helper, thinks will 
not soon be forgotten, we are just about to set off 
for Congenies, but shall return in about two weeks 
on our way to Geneva. We are much pleased with 
the school, and the dear children seem delighted to 
have us. Justine Benezet, the teacher, is a sweet- 
spirited woman, an acknowledged minister. I must 
tell thee a little anecdote about her sister, a person 
of sweet countenance and the greatest simplicity of 
character I ever met with. She was telling us her 
grandfather and grandmother were both ministers, 
and Joseph expressed a wish that their mantle might 
descend upon her, on which she beautifully answered 
with the most striking naivete, " Void la servante dit 
Seigneur" (" Be it unto me as thou wilt"). I could not 
help thinking how thou wouldst have enjoyed her 
simplicity. Poor thing! her husband was murdered 
a few years ago. She has lost one fine child, and 
the only one left is an idiot. 

On Second day morning, with feelings of un- 
clouded peace, we took leave of the dear kind friends 
of Congenies, who assembled in a body at the door 
of our dwelling-house and parted from us with tear- 
ful eyes, and pursued our way to Nimes, where we 
found J. C. Backhouse awaiting our arrival. On 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 12 t > 

Third day morning we had a sitting with the chil- 
dren of the school, and then set out on our journey ; 
dear Joseph very weak, but evidently improving 
every day. Our visit to Grenoble was as deeply 
exercising and as truly satisfactory in its results as 
any we have yet made; but I will not enter into 
particulars, for I am tired of writing about ourselves, 
and I fear thou wilt be weary of hearing of our per- 
formances. The few serious people of Grenoble 
expressed their earnest hope that the opportunity 
might be blessed to the little church there, which 
they represent as being in a very dead state. The 
pastor said he did not think so large a company had 
ever been collected for worship before since he had 
resided there. There were several soldiers among 
them. The next morning we had a very sweet time 
at the girls' school, which is under the care of the 
pastor's wife. Some of them are under serious im- 
pressions at this time, and Martha Yeardley's visit is 
held in lively remembrance, though I believe they 
had no meeting at Grenoble, except the one at the 
school. 

Zurich, Eighth mo. 5th. — When J. Forster joined 
us at Geneva, as my husband had not regained 
his strength, we concluded to spend a few days at 
Chamouni for rest and refreshment, and such a rare 
treat of fine scenery we certainly never had before ; 



I2 4 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

but it so wholly mocks description that it is almost 
idle to attempt it. The whole drive is one of uncom- 
mon loveliness. After we left Geneva, we had large 
meetings at Lausanne, Vevay, Neufchatel, Berne, etc., 
and again we feasted our eyes on the most mag- 
nificent scenery. At Grindelwald there were also 
beautiful glaciers in sight from our inn ; and near 
Brienz we saw the lovely Giesbach, one of the 
finest waterfalls in Switzerland. We had several 
very interesting meetings at Interlachen, Thun, and 
Lauterbrunnen. The one at Thun especially was 
very interesting, being attended by a little company 
of Primitive Christians, who reside in the neighbor- 
hood, whose souls seem truly thirsting for the living 
spring, and I believe we were refreshed together. 
We had a very interesting meeting here last evening. 
Zurich, Eighth mo. 7th. — The good old Pastor 
Gessner, whom we had hoped to see, deceased a few 
days before we arrived, and his funeral sermon was 
preached in the different chapels yesterday, so that 
it was rather an unusually serious time, and I have 
no doubt tended to the solemnity of the evening 
meeting, which was very relieving to Joseph's mind. 
We have just been refreshed by interesting visits, 
one to the widow of Gessner, the other to the single 
daughter of Lavater, who resides in the house in 
which he was born. I believe they are truly of the 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l2 $ 

household of faith, and it was cheering to be received 
by them as brethren and sisters of the Lord. The 
dear old lady seems only to realize that the partner 
of her joys and sorrows has, in the tender mercy of 
his God and Saviour, been taken home a little while 
before her; and the instructive language of her 
grateful spirit seemed to be, " The Lord gave, and 
the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be His name." 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Brussels, Eighth mo. 26th, 1843. 
The last month, since I wrote thee before, has per- 
haps been as striking as any part of our journey, and 
certainly when we left home we had no expectation 
of finding such an open door in France and Switzer- 
land, and I may now add Germany ; for, passing 
over our very interesting month at Geneva and the 
neighborhood, visit to Yverdun and Neufchatel, Berne, 
Schaffhausen, Strasburg, Zurich, Basel, etc., I must 
give thee a little account of our remarkable experi- 
ence at Stuttgart, which ought to confirm my faith 
all the days of my life. I think I told thee of our 
meeting the Princess Marie of Wurtemberg when 
we were at Geneva, when she cordially invited us 
to Stuttgart, but my husband told her we had no 
expectation of coming that way. When she left she 

wrote me a sweet little note, commending her father, 

11* 






I2 6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

the King of Wurtemberg, to our prayers, speaking of 
him as the " noblest being in the world, and the one 
dearest to her." However, time passed on, and we 
were steadily pursuing our homeward journey (not 
the direct route certainly, but the one we proposed 
before leaving home), when my husband seemed 
rather arrested by the thought of Stuttgart, and he 
and Josiah made several inquiries as to distance, the 
probability of the King's being at home, etc., — all 
which resulted in determining them on the negative 
side of the question. We had all turned from it as 
a sort of impossibility, when one evening some time 
after, as we were sitting in silence in a meeting at 
Neufchatel, it was clearly impressed on my mind 
that we should go to Stuttgart, and that we should 
see the King. The next day I told Joseph, and as 
we progressed on our journey we made fresh inqui- 
ries, but nothing could be more discouraging. We 
were told that both the Princess Marie and her 
father were then in Italy, and not expected home 
for weeks to come ; that it would take us seven days 
longer at least to go by Stuttgart ; still my faith did 
not fail, and our party seemed willing to go there. 
When we arrived we found the reports were true : 
the King was in Italy, and, though he was expected 
in a day or two, it was very uncertain when he 
would come. So we. went on with our work, visit- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l2 y 

ing Kornthal, a most interesting colony of Primitive 
Christians, about six miles off, on Sixth day after- 
noon ; spent Seventh day at Ludwigsburg, the famous 
prison, where we had really solemn service with the 
prisoners in several wards, fifty or sixty in each. 
The prisoners and the soldiers at the door seemed 
much affected. Josiah Forster was our kind inter- 
preter, as they all speak German. On First day 
morning, as we sat in our little meeting under some 
discouragement, the chief object of our visit appear- 
ing less and less likely to be accomplished, the 
words of our Saviour very unexpectedly revived in 
my mind : " Your times are always ready, but my 
time is not always," accompanied with a strong 
belief that we ought to wait His time. I felt relieved 
by repeating them, and expressing my desire that 
we might resign ourselves wholly into the hands of 
Him whose ways are above our ways. In the even- 
ing we had a large and satisfactory meeting in four 
rooms communicating with each other at the house 
of a Christian friend, and afterward my dear hus- 
band told me he felt quite relieved, and, as there 
seemed now no more probability of the King's return 
than when we arrived, he thought we could not 
delay any longer. I cannot describe to thee the 
anguish of spirit this brought over me; indeed, 
through our whole visit, and especially on every 



I2 8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

fresh discouragement, my heart was like lead, for I 
was fastened to the place in the most singular man- 
ner, and dare not break my bonds ; so I begged we 
might stay till noon, and see if anything opened; if 
not, and they wished it, we would go. In the morn- 
ing we were told that not only was the King not 
arrived, but it was now wholly uncertain when he 
would come. I really began to conclude that my 
faith would be wholly destroyed, that I should have 
to leave Stuttgart without any answer to the deep 
impression which had been so singularly made on 
my mind, and which nothing had been able to shake. 
If this proved a delusion, how could I believe that 
any of my former experience was true? I threw 
myself on the bed and wept in an agony of soul 
which was known only to the All-seeing Eye. About 
this time a person came to request we would have a 
meeting in the evening at the house of a lady, to 
which many people wished to come who were not at 
the previous meeting. Joseph's mind seemed drawn 
to it at once, contrary to his usual custom, and I felt 
sure it was right. The meeting was appointed, and 
consequently we remained through the day. 

About three o'clock, when we should otherwise 
have been on our journey, as I believe in deep sad- 
ness of heart, a messenger arrived to say the King 
was come. Confirming as this was to my faith, and 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 12 g 

in that way an inexpressible relief, I felt it such a 
solemn undertaking that I was almost ready to 
regret we were not off. The meeting in the evening 
was allowed on all hands to be one of the very best 
we have had on the Continent, and nothing could 
exceed the flow of love from hundreds afterward. 
In the morning fresh discouragements arose : on 
applying to the aides-de-camp of the King, they said 
that an immense quantity of business was waiting 
his attention, that the Queen was at her palace in the 
country, and the King did not receive ladies alone. 
They promised, however, to make known our wishes, 
and my husband said we should be very glad to be 
able to go on the journey the next day, but, of 
course, we should wait the King's time. About two 
o'clock a messenger came from the palace to say 
their "majesties" would receive us at six o'clock in 
the evening at the Queen's palace in the country. 
Thither we all repaired, and after waiting a few 
minutes in the ante-room, we were ushered into the 
balcony, where the King and Queen were surrounded 
by their children, and perhaps thirty or forty ladies 
and gentlemen. It looked formidable indeed, but 
they received us very kindly, and we stood convers- 
ing together for some time. Dear Joseph spoke to 
them about the prisons, slavery, etc., and then whis- 
pered to me that I must now relieve my mind ; but 



!30 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

in such a party, standing in the open balcony, I felt 
it was impossible, and in a strength that truly was 
given me, I asked the King and Queen if they would 
kindly allow us to sit down together in silence ; to 
which they assented at once, saying, " Certainly, 
certainly," and, followed by the crown prince and the 
two princesses, walked into the drawing-room, the 
Queen herself placing our chairs just opposite to them. 
My husband addressed them, after a little pause, 
very sweetly, and then I was constrained to bow the 
knee in supplication, and a very solemn time it was 
to my own feelings and, I trust, to theirs. The King 
and Queen shook us by the hand and thanked us 
warmly, the former saying he had been "penetrated" 
by what was said. Most glad was I to turn my back 
upon the palace and all that it contained, and truly 
thankful, I trust, to that wonderworking Being, who 
had thus marvellously opened a way for us where we 
could see no way. We were rather surprised when 
we came out of the drawing-room to find that the 
whole party of ladies and gentlemen, or lords and 
ladies, had left the balcony and come into the ad- 
joining room, so that we had in fact been holding a 
meeting with them all. But now, my dear friend, 
thy poor unworthy child is returning home, covered 
from head to foot with a humbling sense of her mani- 
fold infirmities, yet with some ability to rejoice in 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



131 



the conviction that whatever may be the depth of 
her weakness, the fountain of the mercy and forgive- 
ness of our God and Saviour is deeper still. We 
hope to be at Upton on Fifth day. 

This busy summer, with its weighty engagements, 
was succeeded by a winter of the peaceful, happy, 
but not inactive life at Earlham. The following 
letters refer to this period : 

E. P. G. to Anna Gurney, shortly after her mar- 
riage to John Church Backhouse, of Darling- 
ton. 

Earlham, Eleventh mo. 15th, 1843. 

. . . We miss thee exceedingly, my sweet child ; 
indeed, I never knew how dear thou wert to me 
before, though of one thing I was always assured, 
that no daughter ever behaved with more perfect 
propriety and sweetness than thou hast done to me 
since I came into this family. And I need not say 
how deeply sensible I have always been of thy con- 
stant faithfulness to one who has indeed been the 
most indulgent as well as most watchful of parents 
to thee. His own frequent testimony to thy un- 
varying attention is of itself a sweet reward for thy 
devotedness. And now that thou art entering on a 
new career, and wilt have new duties to perform and 
new difficulties to contend with, what can I desire 



!32 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

for thee but that the same preserving and preventing 
grace which shines so conspicuously in thy beloved 
father's course may be eminently and continually 
spread like a shield around his precious child ; that 
in that beautiful spirit of meekness and humility 
which adorn him beyond any other Christian I ever 
knew, thou mayst be enabled to fill thy new and in- 
teresting position with true dignity, and even so let 
thy light shine before men, that others, seeing thy 
good works, may glorify thy Father which is in 
heaven. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Cromer, Twelfth mo. 18th, 1843. 
I know thou wilt be sorry to hear that I have had 
a very poor account of my dear niece, Margaret 
Williams. She is a precious plant of the Lord's 
own right-hand planting, and I know I ought not to 
complain if He is now about to transplant her into a 
more genial clime ; but she has closely twined her- 
self around my heart by the sweetness and gentle- 
ness of her disposition and the warmth of her affec- 
tions, and there are few whose loss I should so 
truly mourn. In a letter from Dr. Shoemaker's 
daughter, M. K. White, she says, " I fear my dear 
Aunt Mary will lose her darling Madge before very 
long, though she does not seem to think so herself, 
but builds with confident hope upon every change 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. Y ^ 

for the better, however slight. M. keeps her 
thoughts to herself, but I can see she is not blind 
to her situation, but is being fitted and prepared 
for that home to which she is slowly but certainly 
going. She is rather better now than she was a 
week ago, but not so well as while she was at 
Woodburn in the summer." At the conclusion of 
her letter M. K. W. says, " Do not think, my dear 
aunt, from what I have said of dear Cousin Madge, 
that she is much worse than she was some months 
ago; but commencing the winter in this way is very 
discouraging. She goes out in fine weather, is 
cheerful, and very lovely." I had so hoped this 
darling child might have come to me next summer, 
as it is now three years since I have seen any of my 
natural relations, and my heart rather yearns after 
them ; but I am brought to feel that all earthly 
things must hang very loosely about me, and that I 
must possess as though I possessed them not. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Second mo. 3d, 1844. 

My very dear Mamma, — We were rejoiced to 
hear of thy being so relieved and comforted by the 
Monthly Meeting, though it was just what I antici- 
pated. And now I hope and believe a peaceful 
little pause with thy precious children will be gra- 






134 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



ciously given thee, in which all the little threads 
that are worn thin in the well-used (I would not say 
well-abused) net may be carefully mended. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Seventh mo. 4th, 1844. 

We are now permitted to settle down quietly in 
our beautiful home with the feeling of calmness and 
peace, having in some degree passed through the 
baptism of the cloud, which no doubt for some wise 
purpose was dispensed to us. I have, however, in 
the last few days been brought into close sympathy 
with my far-distant relations by the tidings which 
have reached me both of the removal of my precious 
niece, and of the rapidly-increasing illness of my 
valued uncle Paul, who, I should think, would very 
soon be numbered with those blessed ones " who die 
in the Lord." Dear Margaret's close was calm and 
peaceful, though she was not entirely restored to 
reason, as they fondly hoped. Her doubly-widowed 
mother will return to Woodburn with my sister 
Clarke, as she is much in need of rest and quiet, 
and will find both there. I very much approve of 
this arrangement, believing it will be a comfort to 
them both. Oh, that I could be with them for a 
little while! but it is ordered otherwise, and I am 
sure that it is ordered well. 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. l ^§ 

Believing that further Gospel labor was required 
of him on the Continent, J. J. Gurney, with his 
wife, again set forth in the Fourth mo., 1844, on 
a second tour in France. She thus writes to her 
American relatives : 

E. P. G. to her aunt H. Paul. 

Bordeaux, Fourth mo. 20th, 1844. 
Thou wast probably aware that my husband did 
not accomplish the whole of his prospect of religious 
service last summer, and therefore retained his cer- 
tificates ; but our dear sister Fry's state was so very 
uncertain, and her sufferings at times so great, it 
seemed impossible to think of setting out the middle 
of Third mo., which we had looked to. However, 
just at that time a decided improvement took place, 
and as it was strongly her own wish that he should 
pursue his prospect, after spending a few days in 
her neighborhood, accompanied by Josiah Forster, 
we set out. Rough enough was our passage over 
the Channel, and glad enough we were to find our- 
selves safe on terra ftrrna again. Had meetings at 
Rouen, Boulogne, etc., and spent ten very interesting 
days at Paris. The Baroness de Stael, the Countess 
Pelet, and the Baroness Mallet and her daughters 
were among our kindest friends. Nothing could 
exceed the affectionate attentions of the two former, 



136 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



loading us with kindnesses of various sorts. They 
are both sweet Christian-spirited women, sincerely 
interested in the spread of truth and righteousness 
upon the earth, and we had many pleasant hours in 
their company. My husband had three or four 
meetings for worship in Paris, and, in unison with 
Josiah Forster, George Alexander, and John Scoble, 
held a large anti-slavery meeting, which I hope 
made some impression, as the French people gen- 
erally are very much asleep on the subject of eman- 
cipation, and sadly want rousing. It was a very 
satisfactory occasion, and I think would be produc- 
tive of good. But the most interesting circumstance 
of our Paris sojourn was a precious interview which 
we had with the Duchess of Orleans, whose son, 
thou knowest, is heir to the throne. She is a truly 
pious Protestant, though surrounded by Catholics, 
and one of the most delicate and lovely-looking 
young creatures I ever saw. It is often difficult to 
obtain access to her, and we applied for an interview 
without much hope of success, but the answer was, 
" She would see us with pleasure," appointing the 
day. When the time arrived we drove to the palace 
of the Tuileries, and were taken from one apartment 
to the other, resting a little while in each, till at last 
we were shown into the most magnificent drawing- 
room I ever saw, and in a little while a graceful, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



137 



slender figure clothed in mourning entered the room, 
and walking up to us, took my hand in both of hers, 
and in the warmest manner exclaimed, u My dear 
madame, I am so very glad to see you!" She then 
welcomed my husband and Josiah in the kindest man- 
ner, and seating me beside her on the sofa, requested 
them to " help themselves to chairs." After a little 
friendly conversation we asked for silence, which was 
readily granted, and a memorable opportunity we 
had. She thanked us heartily with tears in her eyes, 
kissed me most affectionately, and we parted from 
this interesting creature in true love, and with a feel- 
ing of interest excited in our hearts which will not, 
I believe, be soon destroyed. May she and her two 
lovely boys experience preservation in the exposed 
and elevated position which they occupy ! and this, 
I believe, is the fervent desire of her heart. But, of 
course, they will be educated as Catholics, which is, I 
do not doubt, a real sorrow to her. We were invited 
to dine with Guizot, the minister of foreign affairs, 
who was very kind to us last year, but his daughter 
being taken suddenly ill prevented it. I see by the 
papers she is better. He is considered one of the 
most talented men in France, and perhaps there are 
few individuals more extolled by their friends or 
defamed by their enemies ; but this, I believe, is the 
lot of most who are placed by circumstances in con- 



138 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



spicuous and exalted situations. The evening we left 
Paris we had a leave-taking party of about seventy 
of our friends, and a very satisfactory opportunity 
it proved, ending in a thorough Quaker meeting. 
Dear J. J. G.'s facility in French is quite surprising. 
A gentleman observed the other evening, after he 
had been speaking for more than an hour, that there 
was but one word in all he had said which betrayed 
that he was not a Frenchman. It is beginning to be 
much more understandable to me, but I never ven- 
ture to speak it, and indeed there is not much neces- 
sity, as almost all the educated people here speak 
English, or at least a great many of them. Since 
we left Paris, we have had meetings at Orleans, 
Blois, Tours, Saumer, Nantes, and Rochelle. Ex- 
pect to have one here to-morrow, and then proceed 
to Sainte-Foy, Toulouse, and Montauban, hoping to 
return in time for our Yearly Meeting on the 20th of 
Fifth mo. Our congregations vary exceedingly; we 
have sometimes the great of this world, and sometimes 
the lowly. The little flock at Saumer was extremely 
primitive, reminding us of the simple-hearted Friends 
at Congenies. They met in our hotel, and after Jo- 
siah Forster had explained the object of our mission 
there was a profound silence, which was presently 
broken by a neat-looking woman in a peasant's 
costume exclaiming with some earnestness, though 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l ^g 

rather timidly, " I suppose monsieur the pastor 
will commence presently." It was rather a droll 
beginning, but we had a truly sweet and refreshing 
meeting notwithstanding. I do not remember that 
we have had one more so. They were the poor of 
this world who composed it, but I believe many of 
them were rich in faith and heirs of the heavenly 
kingdom. 

2 1st, First day evening. 

Dear Joseph has been very low 7 since coming here, 
and rather poorly; his mind under much exercise 
for the people of Bordeaux, yet no way seemed to 
open to obtain relief. The pastors, being rather 
divided among themselves, are not willing to lend 
their chapels to strangers. However, one of them 
at last advised Joseph's hiring a large room called 
the Casino; and after all his discouragements, he has 
had the largest meeting this afternoon — and I believe 
I might say the most truly satisfactory one — that he 
has had in France this year. To-morrow evening he 
is to have a large anti-slavery meeting in the same 
place, and then I trust we shall leave this town, in 
which he has passed through deep baptisms, in 
health and peace. But truly, with all the kindnesses 
we receive, — and they are many as we go along, from 
high and low, learned and unlearned, — this sort of 
journeying is humbling work; and in coming as 



140 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



strangers into a large town, looking so differently- 
clad from all about us, I have more than once 
thought of the words of the men who went to 
search the land of Canaan : " We were in our own 
sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." 
I often long to be quietly settled in our dear-loved 
home again ; indeed, I only came out this time as 
care-taker to my husband, not feeling any particular 
concern of my own, which I could not say last year. 
But wherever we are, may the language of our lives 
and conversation be like that of Moses formerly 
(Numbers i.) : " We are journeying into the place of 
which the Lord said, I will give it to you ; come 
thou with us." 

E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Montauban, Fifth mo. 4th, 1844. 

We spent a few days at Toulouse last week, and 
were much pleased with the Courtois, three brothers 
who live under the same roof, and with their wives 
appear to be of one heart and one mind, — decidedly 
religious people, and very desirous to promote the 
good cause by every means in their power. Dear 
Stephen Grellet will know them, and it will be in- 
teresting to him to find that we are now in the midst 
of his relations, having seen his venerable sister this 
morning, and now his brother Joseph and wife, who 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. I4I 

reside here. We had seen Charles previously in 
Paris. There is a strong resemblance between the 
three brothers, especially in voice and manner, and 
truly pleasant it is to be reminded of our very dear 
friend in such a way. We were much pleased with 
his ladylike sister, who, though a Catholic, we 
thought was no stranger to true religion, and we 
had to revive the Scripture declaration that "God is 
no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that 
feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted 
of Him," and to encourage her to press forward to- 
ward the mark through every trial and through 
every difficulty. She seemed very grateful for our 
visit, and only regretted that we could not spend 
the day with her; but as we are anxious to reach 
London in time for the Yearly Meeting, we could 
not 'delay. 

E. P. G. to Thomas Wistar. 

Sixth mo. 29th, 1844. 

. . . After two months spent on the Continent en- 
tirely separated from Friends, it was very pleasant 
to find ourselves among our own people again, and 
we could freely acknowledge that although we had 
felt sweet unity with many spiritually-minded people 
under different names, there is nothing so completely 
to our taste, so restful to our spirits, so congenial to 



142 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



our hearts, as a true, simple-minded Quaker after 
all. 

E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Sixth mo. 29th, 1844. 

. . . Our visit to the Channel Islands was very 
satisfactory, and having spent three weeks between 
Guernsey and Jersey, holding fourteen public meet- 
ings, and visiting the members of our own society, 
who are not numerous, we returned to Upton on 
Second day last, and reached Norwich just in time 
for our own Quarterly Meeting. We had about an 
hour to revel in the flowery loveliness of our own 
sweet home before the Select Meeting began, and 
never did two little children enjoy anything more. 
After a long drought of nearly three months (an 
unheard-of thing for England), there had been a 
delightful rain the day before, and just as we reached 
the park gate the sun shone out most brilliantly, 
gilding the trees, the river, and the lawn, and mak- 
ing the whole a perfect fairy-scene. For the first 
time I felt it would be a true cross for me to leave 
Earlham, this most indulgent and happy home. It 
has always appeared to me such a responsible thing 
to be placed at the head of such a large establish- 
ment, that I have been almost inclined to wish we 
might be obliged to leave it ; but now I felt it would 
be a real trial to tear myself from a spot in itself so 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



143 



full of charm, and now endeared to my heart by- 
numberless associations. Still, if it is too luxurious 
and too indulgent, I trust we may be enabled to see 
it; for I believe it is the sincere and unfeigned desire 
of both our hearts to be found in the bounds of 
Divine appointment, wherever these may be, and 
whatever sacrifice it may involve as to personal com- 
fort. 

E. P. G. to M. A. Williams. 

Earlham, Ninth mo. 13th, 1844. 
. . . Oh, when we come to stand before the right- 
eous tribunal of the Judge of all the earth, not only 
shall we have to give an account of the deeds done 
in the body, but we shall be solemnly responsible 
for time mis-spent, for wasted talents, for neglected 
opportunities, for the non-fulfilment of all the vari- 
ous relationships that have contributed to form our 
stewardship and swell the list of duties to be done. 
Sins of omission will rise up in terrible array against 
us unless we look well to it, and we shall have most 
mournfully to realize the poet's words, — 

" How shocking must thy summons be, O Death, 
To him who is at ease in his possessions ; 
Who, counting on long years of pleasure here, 
Is all unfurnished for the world to come !" 



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MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 



J. J. and E. P. Gurney visited the north of Eng- 
land, the lake country, etc., in the latter part of 
1844, with a minute from their Monthly Meeting 
for religious service among Friends and others. 
Nothing of special importance seems to have oc- 
curred during the following two years to interrupt 
the quiet and peaceful current of E. P. G.'s life. 

E. P. G. to M. A. Longstreth. 

Earlham, Ninth mo. 4th, 1844. 
I must tell thee what a very interesting journey 
we have had through the charming lake scenery of 
Westmoreland, Cumberland, etc., though two meet- 
ings a day, beside divers calls, have not left much 
time to admire it, or rather, I should say, to explore 
it, — admire it we have at every turn, Keswick and 
Ulleswater and Windermere perhaps especially. We 
called on William Wordsworth when at Ambleside, 
but I was rather disappointed in him. He gave us a 
most kind reception/but there is none of that sim- 
plicity about the man which so distinguishes his 
poetry, and he has not an interesting countenance. 
We also saw Fox How, with which, by name at 
least, you are no doubt familiar. It is a most 
charming spot. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



145 



E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Tenth mo. 10th, 1844. 
My thoughts were much with you during our 
silent meeting this morning, and if I had any sym- 
pathy with thy spirit, it was clothed with that true 
peace in which hard things are made easy and bitter 
things sweet. Was it not so, my dearly beloved 
friend, and did not thy heart even rejoice and give 
thanks in the grateful sense permitted thee that as 
the streams of earthly consolation are one by one 
cut off or turned aside, the unchanged and inex- 
haustible Fountain becomes inexpressibly precious 
to thy soul? In connection with thy own dear self, 
I have thought much to-day of the beautiful text, 
" My covenant was with him of life and peace, and I 
gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared 
me and was afraid before my name," with something 
of a persuasion, I think, that thou wouldst know 
this blessed declaration concerning Levi to be more 
and more fulfilled in thy own experience ; but I am 
a poor creature, and dare hardly say I am persuaded 
of anything. 

Eleventh mo., 1844, J. J. G. writes in his journal : 
" A long letter on the subject of the ministry to a 
dear friend and relative, the result of some thought 

13 



I4 6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

and exercise of mind, my dearest E. P. G. approving. 
She is indeed a capital guide, and I seldom, if 
ever, do wrong or foolishly when I have her full 
accord." . . . " What a blessing our union is to me 
no words can describe; and I take it not only as 
good in itself, but as a token for good, even those 
richer, higher, and larger blessings which immedi- 
ately affect the soul's salvation ! I know not what 
I should do without my ever-cheering friend and 
helper, the daily partner of my passing hours, whose 
finger is ever skilful to extract each worrying thorn. 
What thanks can I render for such a gift?" 

Ninth mo., 1845. — " ^ * s a very great comfort 
that during the whole of this journey (to the north 
of England), in private and in public, we have been 
closely united in our exercise of mind and in our 
ministry. My dearest E. P. G. has often had to 
prepare my way, and to point out its true direction 
in the gallery. And her own ministry has been 
lively, weighty, searching, and yet encouraging ; 
truly prized by her husband and partner, and ac- 
ceptable to Friends. Never was I more sensible of 
the nice adaptation to my needs, and of the unutter- 
able value of this precious gift from the Lord." 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



147 



J. J. Gurney to J. K. Clarke. 

Earlham, Eleventh mo. 2d, 1845. 
Ah, my dear Julia, what a favor it is for me that 
the deep chasm thus occasioned, and which would 
otherwise have been scarcely supportable, has been 
and is so wonderfully filled up for me in thy dearest 
sister, who is, like our beloved Elizabeth Fry, won- 
derfully gifted with ability to sustain, comfort, and 
gladden others. Under Providence, she is my guide 
and helper to a most remarkable degree. America 
has cost me some conflicts certainly; but why 
should I complain ? That free and happy land has 
also supplied me with my dearest earthly treasure. 

J. J. Gurney's journals and letters abound with 
expressions similar to the above of trust and ap- 
preciation. " The heart of her husband doth safely 
trust in her." 

E. P. G. to F. M. Shoemaker. 

Earlham, Third mo. 30th, 1846. 
. . . When my husband gets through with his 
various engagements, we not unfrequently drive out 
in our little pony gig and call upon the neighboring 
cottagers, which, when the day is bright, we much 
enjoy. Sometimes he drives me to the village 



148 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



schools, which we have under our especial care, and 
then puts questions to the children, to their great 
delight, as young people are all so fond of him, you 
know. The school at Babur, about two miles off, is 
admirably managed. I rarely ever saw one flourish 
more. A short time since I promised a book to 
every child who could repeat a poem perfectly when 
we might happen to look in again. Accordingly 
the whole school learned it, as I quite expected, and 
about a week ago I took seventy-seven books, which 
were distributed among them, I hope to the benefit 
of some. I do not know whether I told thee that 
on First day evening the cottagers always assemble 
at the hall to our family reading, having been in the 
habit of doing so for thirty years or more. On First 
day, after our return from the funeral of our beloved 
sister Fry, my husband informed them that the next 
time we met he would have one of her little text- 
books for every one who came, as a little remem- 
brance of her. We had a pretty large party the fol- 
lowing First day of course, and he distributed the 
books accordingly, bestowing a few that were left on 
those who had children at home too young to attend 
the reading. One undergardener, however, who has 
a large family, had one little boy about six years 
old for whom he had no book, which appears to 
have been greatly to his disappointment. We heard 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l ^g 

nothing about it until about a week afterward, when 
we were informed the little fellow was dead. We 
went directly down to their pretty little cottage, and 
the poor afflicted mother gave us the affecting par- 
ticulars, first taking us into the room to see the 
remains. The pretty little curly-haired boy was 
neatly laid out in clean white linen, and on his 
breast, to our surprise, we saw a little red-morocco 
text-book. She thus explained the reason for its 
being there : " Please, ma'am, when we came back 
from the hall on Sunday evening my little boy was 
so distressed because there was no text-book for 
him ; for you know, ma'am, I thought they would be 
of more use to the older children. But he seemed 
so troubled about it all the next morning that, as I 
knew my master had given the butler some to dis- 
tribute, I took the liberty to send him up to the hall 
to ask if he might have one. You never saw anything 
so delighted as he was when he brought it home, 
dancing about for joy. He would not put it out of 
his hands for a moment, and one of the first things 
he did was to search out a text which he had learned 
at school, and when he found it he read it over and 
over again: ' Suffer little children to come unto me, 
and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of 
heaven.' This was on the Monday, ma'am, and on 
Thursday morning he was a corpse. Poor little 

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ISO 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



dear ! he never let go of the book for a moment, 
even when he was in great pain, and I determined it 
should be buried with him, for I could not bear to 
have it taken away." Here the poor woman wiped 
the tears from her eyes, which flowed freely ; but 
she seemed to be greatly comforted by the beautiful 
text which appeared so remarkably sent to her dear 
little boy. I thought thou would be interested in 
this little story. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^i 



CHAPTER III. 

Joseph John Gurney's health had for some years 
been delicate, but nothing had occurred to awaken 
special anxiety until Twelfth mo., 1846. On the 
22d, on his return from his customary ride to Nor- 
wich, his horse stumbled, throwing him with some 
violence into the street. No serious injury appeared 
to have been sustained, and for the following week 
he continued to attend without special difficulty to 
his usual occupations. On the 28th, however, he 
became seriously ill, and, notwithstanding all the 
efforts of medical skill and the watchful ministra- 
tions of loving hands, he continued gradually to sink 
until First mo. 4th, 1847, when he peacefully ex- 
pired. 

One is disposed to draw a veil over the crushing 
sorrow that now oppressed the heart of the widowed 
mourner. "I was dumb; I opened not my mouth, 
because Thou didst it." To the reader experienced 
in similar bereavements words are needless, and to 



!j 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

others it were idle to attempt to depict her feeling of 
utter desolation, as regards all earthly things. 



; With silence only as their benediction, 
God's angels come 
Where, in the shadow of a great affliction, 
The soul sits dumb." 



Yet her habitual dependence on a higher Power 
in times of extremity soon came to her aid, and she 
was strengthened to wash and anoint, that she might 
not appear to men unduly to fast, but to manifest 
that the Everlasting Arms were underneath to sus- 
tain and comfort ; and although her " sorrow was 
stirred" to its depths, it was not long that she "held 
her peace, even from good." She felt that there 
were others whose loss was scarcely less than her 
own, that the whole neighborhood and the church 
were mourners with her, and that it was her duty 
not only to show forth the sustaining power of 
Divine grace, but to see that this solemn lesson 
should not fail of its designed effect through any 
neglect of hers to impress it upon those around her. 
Her public ministry, chastened and sanctified by 
suffering, was faithfully maintained; the evening 
gatherings of her large household, increased by 
many sorrowing neighbors, were regularly kept up; 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



153 



and as time passed on she endeavored still to extend 
a watchful care over the many charitable and other 
interests in which she and the departed one had 
been engaged together. 

It was comforting in this time of trial to have the 
society of her niece, Harriet H. Kirkbride, from 
America, who had come to her a few months be- 
fore. 

She naturally turned for sympathy to her honored 
friend, H. C. Backhouse, to whom she wrote, First 
mo. 5th : 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, First mo. 5th, 1847. 

My very dear Friend, — They are strange tidings 
that I am going to tell thee, and I scarcely know 
how to put them on paper, yet I do not like thee 
to hear them first from another than myself. My 
precious husband is gone! gone with the redeemed 
of the Lord to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy 
upon his head. This blessed assurance is so sealed 
upon my spirit that at present I have only an appal- 
ling consciousness that something awful has hap- 
pened. The full sense of all that I have lost in that 
most tenderly beloved one, has not come over me, 
or rather is swallowed up in an overwhelming tide 
of gratitude to that adorable God and Saviour who 
dealt so mercifully with him to the end, shielding 



154 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



him, in His tender pity, from an immediate view of 
the dark valley, which he had always rather shrunk 
from entering, and gilding his approach to it with 
sunny gleams. Life has been remarkably bright 
and pleasant to him of late, and his health unusually 
good, enabling him to labor for the welfare of his 
fellow-beings with increased activity. But the fall 
from his horse, which I mentioned to thee, together 
with exposure to the cold, and possibly some other 
minor causes, combined to excite the system and 
bring on the attack which gently let him down to 
the bed of death. I have long had a kind of unde- 
fined impression that his end was not far off, and 
now " that which I feared is come upon me." 

Last evening, about ten o'clock, without the least 
convulsive movement or the slightest groan, he fell 
asleep in Jesus, that blessed Saviour whom he loved 
and served so long and faithfully. I have not yet 
met the solemn fact that I am left alone ; that after 
five years' constant sweet companionship I am de- 
prived of one who was perhaps too much the joy of 
my heart and the delight of my eyes, whose Chris- 
tian example was bright, — may I not say faultless ? 
I think I may to thee, because thou knew him well, 
and will not therefore set it down to undue par- 
tiality. The full sense of this desolating change is 
yet to come ; so far I have been marvellously sus- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



155 



tained, and, oh! that this support may be continued ! 
The boundless mercy that has been extended, en- 
abling him to finish all the work that was assigned 
him, then gently gathering him to perfect peace and 
joy and blessedness, giving me strength to minister 
to all his temporal wants, both night and day, during 
this week of great infirmity, and enabling me to 
bear this awful blow and not faint under it, — a 
blessed sense of this is now my portion. But, oh ! 
think of me, my dear, precious friend, in the dark 
days of solitude which must be mine, and pray for 
me, that I may bear them patiently. 

Richenda Cunningham, a sister of J. J. Gurney, 
writes at this time : 

January 7th, 1847. 

Out of the abundance of my heart my mouth was 
obliged to speak in thankfulness to God for the gift 
E. P. G. had been to us as a family ; that through 
her instrumentality the latter years of the dear de- 
parted one had been gilded; that she had been raised 
up to minister to his every want, temporal and spirit- 
ual, to share his every sorrow, and to partake in his 
joys. Oh, what a blessing had it been to us that the 
evening of his life should have been thus cheered ; 
that they had striven together for the faith of the 
Gospel; that they had been companions in labor, 



i 5 6 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



heirs together of the grace of life ; that her tender 
watchfulness had guarded him from so much that 
might have hurt his tender spirit or injured his deli- 
cate frame ! And such was her love and devoted- 
ness to him that we, as a family, were most thankful 
to give him up to her. And now, during the last 
solemn week of his life, how could we be thankful 
enough for her soothing, judicious care of him by 
night and by day, watching over him with intense 
solicitude, ministering with her own hands every 
alleviation that human heart or love could devise, 
thus cheering him on unto the end, that it might be 
called a favored illness ! A soft mantle seemed cast 
over him, hiding from him the dark valley, and 
shielding him from the sorrow of parting with his 
beloved. 

E. P. G. to G. V. Bacon. 

Earlham, First mo. 18th, 1847. 
He has taken away " the delight of my eyes" and 
"the joy of my heart" as with a stroke, and brought 
a deepening shade of gloom and loneliness over this 
once bright home, yet He is faithful to His promises, 
He has not left me comfortless; He has sustained 
my drooping spirits by the sweet incomes of His 
love and peace ; He has filled my now solitary 
dwelling-place with very tender, sympathizing friends, 
and has enabled me to feel and to acknowledge that 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



157 



He doeth all things well. He gave and He hath 
taken away, and blessed be His holy name forever! 
It is in very " faithfulness He hath afflicted me," — of 
this I have not the smallest doubt, — and He has 
dealt so gently and so mercifully with us both in 
various ways, He has so gently sloped the pathway 
to the tomb, and even gilded it, that I feel as if I 
ought to speak only of His love and faithfulness. 

Samuel Gurney to E. P. G. 

First mo. 24th, 1847. 

My beloved Sister, — ... I am passing a very 
quiet Sabbath, which suits well my tone of feeling 
in returning to my own home after so great a sorrow 
and bereavement. My mind has been much with 
thee in thy sorrowful widowhood. Truly have I 
desired that thou mayst continue to be sustained in 
that resignation and submission to the Divine will 
which has been so eminently thy portion, enabling 
thee to preach most impressively amongst us by 
conversation and example under such severe afflic- 
tion. My dearest Elizabeth unites in these feelings. 
Surely the loss of one so peculiarly near to each of 
us, under which we mourn together, will unite us 
very closely. Thou hast indeed lost a husband of 
no common order. Sorrow must long continue to 
be thy portion, but mayst thou from day to day ex- 

14 



i 5 8 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



perience that Divine love is still near thee, and that 
peace prevails through and over all. I much feel 
entering again into my usual occupations and facing 
the world and its interests. It will be a privilege 
indeed if I am increasingly able to keep these things 
under my feet ; but my position is a peculiar one. I 
must more and more endeavor after that spirit under 
these things, of which the dear departed one set so 
bright an example. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Second mo. 17th, 1847. 
For my own part, I am helped to get through each 
day without being overwhelmed, though now and 
then the sense of loss and want pours in like a flood, 
and were it not that there is a voice mightier than 
the noise of many waters, the stream would indeed 
" have gone over my soul." But this Almighty 
voice has again and again proclaimed a calm, and 
even enabled me for a little moment to rejoice in a 
blessed sense of his deliverance from all adversity, 
and of his cloudless happiness, his perfect joy. 
We have interesting letters from Stephen Grellet, 
my sister Julia, and others, but they are utterly un- 
conscious of what is passing and has passed amongst 
us. My mention of his having been indisposed has 
caused them some anxiety, and they were longing 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



159 



for the next intelligence, but would evidently be 
wholly unprepared for the mournful tidings which 
before this have no doubt reached their shores. 

Stephen Grellet to E. P. G. 

Second mo., 1847. 

My beloved and deeply-afflicted Friend, — 
Every sensible feeling and tender emotion of my 
heart is awakened toward thee. My tears are ming- 
ling with thine; for thy loss, — our loss, many of us 
can also say, — the loss of the church militant, and 
that of the poor and needy, is great. Nevertheless, 
my dear sister, we mourn not, as thou fully knowest, 
like those that are without hope. Therefore, amidst 
thy sorrows, thou hast heavenly joys. The morning 
that I heard of the solemn event, just as I was going 
to meeting, it seemed as if the language spoken re- 
specting Enoch was applicable to thy dear J. J. G. : 
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not 
see death, and was not found, because God had 
translated him." Many of his friends have this seal 
respecting him, " that he pleased God." But now, 
further, we see how his translation has been such that 
he did not see death, nor feel the pangs of it. There- 
fore, my dear friend, have we not amidst our mourn- 
ing great cause to rejoice, in that our bereavement 
here is the addition of another among the purified 



j6 memoir and correspondence of 

and sanctified ones ? This strong additional attrac- 
tion of thy soul to the heavenly places seems to me 
designed to give unto thee, like the portion that 
Elisha had desired of Elijah, " a double portion of 
his spirit." 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Third mo." 1st, 1847. 

In the last few days I have felt something of the 
healing virtue of the Saviour's love, and of the 
mighty efficacy of His word when it proclaims a 
calm ; a little courage has been given to go on, a 
little trust that I shall yet be helped to bear life 
patiently, and to encounter all its roughnesses with 
some degree of Christian fortitude, and, above all, 
that I shall be enabled to fulfil my stewardship, 
perform my various duties faithfully, and wait the 
appointed time until my change shall come. But 
the future is entirely concealed at present, nor do I 
try at all to penetrate into its hidden pages. " Suf- 
ficient for the day is the evil thereof." 

If I am mercifully permitted to keep under the 
shelter of my own dear home for the present year at 
least, I shall esteem it another proof of the tender, 
loving kindness of a pitying Father, who " knoweth 
our frame, and remembereth that we are dust." 

I am glad thou wast interested in the American 
letters. They were very touching to me, and after I 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. l fi l 

had read them I was reminded of the language : 
M From the uttermost parts of the earth have we 
heard songs, even glory to the righteous ;" but I 
said, my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me ! 

Anna Backhouse to E. P. Gurney. 

Blackwell, Third mo., 1847. 

I never think the remarks people make of the 
healing that time brings, are very helpful, even if 
they are true. It seems better every way to en- 
deavor to submit to the present weight of suffering, 
and to taste the consolation and help that are given 
to endure each day, rather than to look forward in 
any way. I cannot bear to look forward for thee, 
so that I can easily believe it is too much for thee to 
do so for thyself. 

Anna Backhouse to Julia K. Clarke. 

Blackwell, near Darlington, 
Fourth mo. 28th, 1847. 

Seldom indeed has there been the severing of 
such a tie as existed between her and my dearest 
father. Thou can tell what she has lost, for thou 
knew him so well ; but perhaps no one who did not 
see their married life could quite imagine the ex- 
tremely close dependence of one on the other. They 

were seldom separated for more than an hour or 

14* 



r 62 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 

two at a time. They shared every object together, 
small and great, and he would never do the least 
thing, if he could help it, without consulting her. 
Thou knows that amidst all his happiness he had 
often much to pass through. In every difficulty he 
reposed on my mother, so that her constant atten- 
tion to him was needed; and I have often thought, 
while watching him when poorly in body and low in 
mind, that nothing could be more beautiful than to 
see how she cheered and animated him, and how he 
returned her care by the fondest and most depend- 
ent love. It almost seemed as if such a tie could 
not be broken. Thou can easily imagine how the 
remembrance of all this endears my dearest mother 
to us ; how thankful it makes us that it was per- 
mitted to this precious one to have his last years so 
brightened by such a wife, — as he says himself, " a 
helper exactly adapted to all my necessities," con- 
stantly speaking of her with the deepest thankful- 
ness in his journals. 

Ann F. Barclay to J. K. Clarke. 

Fourth mo. 24th, 1847. 

... I hope that the wish to give thee any little 
particulars I can of dearest Cousin Eliza will gain 
acceptance for my letter. What she is to all of us, 
who for the last five years have been delighting in 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



163 



what they were unitedly to the whole family circle, 
thou must imagine, for I cannot describe it. She is 
indeed most tenderly cherished by us all, for her own 
and for his dear sake, who seems now to have left 
her to our care and love in his absence. But, oh ! it 
makes one's heart ache to feel what the absence of 
that love and of the beaming brightness of his pres- 
ence must daily be to her stricken heart. Yet to be 
with her, to feel with her, and, I might say, to suffer 
with her is a satisfaction ; and whilst doing so, to be 
made sensible, in observing her meek submission, 
that day by day the Hand of Love which has dealt 
this fearful blow, is supporting her and giving her 
strength equal to her day. The balance is clearly 
perceived to be perfectly adjusted in a love which 
we may well trust, though we cannot fathom it. 
How much I should like thee to see her in her 
daily course ! Especially would it touch and yet 
comfort thee to see her, with calm serenity, take his 
part with this large household every morning in the 
family Scripture readings, and on First day even- 
ings, when it is further increased by the villagers, 
who collect in one of the spacious rooms ; and then, 
with clear voice and tranquil, serious manner, she 
reads what he used to read. And often in the en- 
suing silence does the hushed stillness seem to savor 
of the repose of his spirit, though affectingly united 



!6 4 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

with the sense of his loss. In the deportment of all 
the people there is a sort of respectful sympathy 
that is very interesting, and it is one among the 
minor soothings for her to be surrounded by such a 
feeling. 

E. P. G. to Ann F. Barclay. 

Earlham, Fourth mo. 29th, 1847. 
... I did trulyfeel parting from thee yesterday, 
and, as is often the case when one is suffering from 
any particular cause, several minor troubles rose up 
to disturb me, so that I came back to my stripped 
home low enough, and did not recover my equanim- 
ity for some hours. Truly could I adopt the words 
of which that most beloved one was so fond, — 

" I seem forsaken and alone, 
I hear the lion roar, 
And every door is shut but one, 
And that is Mercy's door." 

This morning, under some feeling of a revival of 
faith and renewal of comfort, I think I can add the 
concluding lines, — 

" There, till the dear Deliverer comes, 
I'll wait with humble prayer; 
And when He calls His exile home, 
The Lord shall find me there." 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^ 

... I love to dwell upon the things which he 
enjoyed, which at one time gave me such a pang ; 
and this morning, before meeting, as I walked about 
our bright " chrysanthemized" garden, repeating his 
own words, — " Can it be that 

" * From Paradise to Paradise 

My upward course extends ; 
My Paradise of flowers on earth 
In heaven's Elysium ends,' " — 

such a precious sense was given me that this ques- 
tion had been answered in the affirmative, to his 
unspeakable joy, that for a little moment I forgot to 
mourn, — a feeling of enjoyment filled my heart to 
which it has been long a stranger. 

E. P. G. to Ann F. Barclay. 

Earlham, Fifth mo., 1847. 
. . . The duties which were once a pleasure are 
become a burthen, for there is none to give the look, 
the smile of cordial approbation, — none to extend a 
hand of help, or even a word of kind encouragement. 
And then our stripped and desolate, and sometimes 
dry and useless, little meetings ! How often have we 
sat together there in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ! 
How often has his soul-awakening ministry quick- 
ened my lukewarm spirit ! And often, too, when not 



l66 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

a word was spoken, we have been united in living 
worship, for I could not help catching something of 
the glow and exercise of his dedicated soul. Yet 
there are seasons wherein the Heavenly Shepherd 
does still respect His weary heritage ; and, though 
the plaintive language may go forth, " The prophets 
are gone, and the fathers, where are they?" we are 
given to feel " the Lord of Hosts is with us, the 
God of Jacob is our refuge." ... I do desire to 
cherish a feeling of gratitude to the bounteous Giver 
for the bestowal of such a choice and precious gift 
on one of the most unworthy of the Lord's children 
for the five years and three months in which my cup 
of blessing overflowed, — in which, I believe I enjoyed 
a larger share of unmixed earthly happiness than 
often falls to the lot of any one. Then the beautiful 
finish to his work of faith and labor of love, the 
complete and perfect winding up of life, the tranquil, 
peaceful, and unclouded close ! There seemed, indeed, 
to be nothing in the way, — nothing to intercept the 
entrance of the pure and gentle spirit into its own 
congenial home of love and joy. What more could 
I ask ? For myself, I may and do desire a grateful" 
humble, dedicated heart, even that a portion of his 
spirit may descend upon me. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



167 



E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Fifth mo. 15th, 1847. 
At our reading this morning a sweet calm was 
spread over us, and as I read the fifth verse of the 
second chapter of Colossians, I felt an humble 
trust that it might be even so. But, oh ! may we be 
steadfast in our faith ; and as we have received Christ 
Jesus the Lord, so may we walk in Him, rooted and 
built up in Him, and established in the faith as we 
have been taught, abounding therein with thanks- 
giving. I think I can earnestly desire this for myself 
and our whole household. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Sixth mo. 5th, 1847. 

I feel a little like being fastened down to " the 
grave's mouth" to-day, and my soul is truly in 
heaviness ; but I strive to look beyond the sorrows 
of this fleeting scene to that bright world of glorious 
realities, where the unfettered spirit counts all the 
little trying things which so annoy us here, lighter 
than air and very vanity. Oh, that I may learn to 
weigh all things in the unerring balance of the sanc- 
tuary, that I may see with the eye of faith that these 
are " light afflictions, " that they last " but for a 
moment," and that far more exceeding and eternal 



!68 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 

is the weight of glory which they are working out 
for those who love Jerusalem and love her King 
above their chiefest joy ! I trust this is the case 
with us both, dearest mamma ; indeed, I am sure it 
is with thee, and I hope it is so with thy poor friend, 
weak and unprofitable and laden with infirmities as 
she feels herself to be. 

Samuel Bettle to E. P. G. 

Philadelphia. 
My very dear Friend, — Thy very beautiful token 
of our long, and to me very precious, friendship has 
been gratefully received. "As the new wine is 
found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not 
for a blessing is in it," so we can appreciate the privi- 
lege of a new-made friendship, with its "blessing in 
the cluster;" but as years roll on, how fully do we 
realize, as many of our old friends are taken away 
sometimes from the evil to come, the value of those 
that remain, even as it is written, "No man, having 
drunk old wine, straightway desireth new, for he 
saith, the old is better." Oh, my dear friend, how 
does the memory of one so dear to thee come up in 
remembrances of the past and passing years, like 
"precious ointment poured forth" ! And now most 
sweetly am I reminded, in reference to him and his 
labors, and the seals to his ministry, that "they that 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



169 



are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- 
ment, and they that turn many to righteousness as 
the stars for ever and ever." 

Before the close of this eventful year another dark 
cloud seemed gathering over E. P. Gurney's path- 
way. Her lovely step-daughter, Anna Backhouse, 
had for some time shown symptoms of pulmonary 
disease, which did not yield to ordinary treatment, 
and occasioned much anxiety to her friends. It was 
finally thought best to try a change of climate, and 
in the Ninth mo., accompanied by her husband and 
children, she left England for the south of France. 
To this movement allusion is made in the following. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Eighth mo. 17th, 1847. 
She (A. B.) speaks of being brought into a strait 
place ; and, curious enough, when I picked up my 
Bible for my regular morning reading, I opened on 
the verse, " And David said, I am in a great strait." 
It immediately occurred to me we could not do better 
than utter the petition which follows : " Let me fall 
now into the hands of the Lord, for very great are 
His mercies, but let me not fall into the hands of 
man." If we commit ourselves wholly into the 
Lord's hand, we are sure that when the afflictive 

15 



iyo 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



dispensation has served its purpose He will say, "It 
is enough," and we shall not have one more pang 
than is absolutely needful for us; but if we fall into 
the hands of man (be he physician or be he not), we 
never can be sure that the trial in every way may 
not be greatly aggravated, and in the end those be 
made sorrowful whom the Lord would not have 
made sorrowful. I own this is my greatest fear in 
consulting the London doctors, who we are sure 
will advise their going abroad, and we are also sure 
that if they do so advise, they will go. And if this 
is in right ordering it will all be well, and we may 
see this dear child return much improved in the 
spring. But, on the other hand, if the M.D.'s happen 
to advise wrong, and instead of getting better she 
should grow rapidly worse, what a thing it would be 
for John to have the whole charge of her and the 
children in that far-off land ! And who is at liberty 
to go to them ? 

I own I do feel it a very serious step, and one that 
requires to be looked at all round, though I dare 
not discourage it, and can only earnestly desire 
that we may fall into the hands of the Lord, and 
that He will graciously condescend to direct all our 
steps. Thus may we " dwell in the secret place of 
the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty." 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. iy l 

Last Fifth day, at our Monthly Meeting, when I 
was constrained out of the depths to pour forth my 
supplications, dear William Forster, to my great en- 
couragement, took up what I had said, and spoke 
beautifully upon it. His sermons have been really 
helpful lately, and being faithful always puts him in 
a nice mind, so that we have quite enjoyed his 
company. 

Ann F. Barclay to E. P. G. 

Ninth mo. 17th, 1847. 

... I desire that thou mayst find the power to 
cast thy past and present griefs and thy unknown 
future into His hands whom winds and seas obey. 
Dost thou remember the lines,— 

" Through waves and clouds and storms 
He gently clears thy way. 
Wait thou His time : thy darkest night 
Shall end in brightest day" ? 

This seems the only true view that can be taken 
of the deep trials and wasting sorrows that abound, — 
the view of faith, — and certainly the only one that 
brings comfort in the contemplation. Probably if 
we were not thus hemmed in, and all the natural 
brightness of this life shut out, we could more fully 
appreciate the gentleness of the Hand that leads us 
and the preciousness of the light of His countenance, 



172 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



and understand how the blessing may be as great 
in withholding as in giving. But yet, my darling 
cousin, we may be feeling for each other while the 
course of this discipline is going on, — if not desiring 
that one another's trials may be lightened by being 
removed, yet lightened by the strength given to en- 
dure, the experience of which even now we can 
sometimes feel to be a better blessing. How much 
more in time to come shall we not rejoice together 
that, though pitied, we were not spared. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Ninth mo. i8th, 1847. 

Thy sweet letter came in most seasonably, dearest 
mamma, just after our solemn reading yesterday 
morning, wherein I was constrained, on the bended 
knee, to return heartfelt thanksgivings that our most 
tenderly beloved one had been gathered, with a hand 
of infinite love and mercy, from the conflicts and 
trials of this changing scene, and earnestly to pe- 
tition that, whatever might be in store for any of us, 
the work of Divine grace might go forward in our 
hearts until we were prepared for a blessed reunion, 
where there is no more separation, no more death. 
I could not ask for the life of our darling child; I 
could only desire that He who knows what is best 
for any of us would take us into His own safe care 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. j^ 

and keeping, and finally perfect that which concern- 
eth us to His own glory. I felt relieved, and able to 
enjoy thy sweet letter afterward, which I showed to 
Anna, who smiled as she pointed out the remark- 
able coincidence between thy train of thought and 
that which had just been before us. It evidently 
was a comfort to her. Dear child ! her spirit is 
almost too heavenly to leave us much hope that she 
will linger in this sinful world a great while longer, 
so full of resignation and cheerful acquiescence to 
the Divine will. It is truly touching; and altogether 
this further stripping has afresh caused me to feel 
that " I am bereaved," that life will soon contain but 
very few to bind me to it. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

EARLHAM, Eleventh mo. 2d, 1847. 

I never felt the same freedom and power in sup- 
plication before, and perhaps have not often had the 
same suffering to prepare for it. Dear J. H. felt it 
evidently, and he was so kind and affectionate after- 
ward. Sweet and abundant was the peace that was 
permitted to flow into my heart the rest of the day, 
so that I could exclaim, with Wilberforce, " How 
good God is to us !" He has been far better to me 
than my fears, — from my youth up, I may truly say, 
— and yet I go on faithlessly. 

15* 



!74 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Eleventh mo. 18th, 1847. 

. . . After a while we settled in and had a very 
comfortable, interesting time together. Then Chenda 
and myself took a long walk upon the light-house 
hills, which thoroughly refreshed me. The air was 
so delightful, and sweet and pleasant was the thought 
of those " still waters and green pastures," on and 
beside which some tenderly beloved ones are now 
reposing in joy unspeakable and full of glory. 

The journey, undertaken with such cheering an- 
ticipations, was destined soon to end in deep sad- 
ness. The usual alternations of hope and fear at- 
tended as the dear invalid's condition varied from 
day to day, yet her weakness evidently increased. 
A political disturbance in Italy made it necessary 
for the party to take refuge on board the English 
man-of-war steamer " Bulldog," then lying in the 
harbor of Palermo; and on her deck, on the 17th 
of First mo., 1848, Anna Backhouse breathed her 
last. 

" How sad that thus her course should end, 
With War's terrific thunders nigh ! 
A battle-ship its shelter lend, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. jy$ 

Warriors her dying couch befriend, 
Mourners unknown her bier attend, — 
'Twas ' a strange place to die !' "* 



The following letters give some indication of the 
deep sorrow which this mysterious Providence oc- 
casioned : 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Second mo. 2d, 1848. 

. . , Oh, how sweet and heart-cheering it is to 
look above the gloom and sadness of the grave, to 
contemplate the joys of that reunion, the fulness of 
that song of praise which I could almost fancy I 
hear in the deep stillness of this dear stripped home! 
" When shall I wake and find me there ?" How 
wonderfully all my ties to earth are loosening 
Surely I shall not be left in this wilderness alone ! 

. . . Her end was perfect peace, on board the 
vessel off Palermo. She had been very nicely the 
day before, but going on deck to inquire after Mary 
Ann, who had been uncomfortable in another vessel, 
she complained of shortness of breath, asked to be 
laid on the deck, said she was very comfortable, 
thought it was a strange place to die in, kissed dear 
little Johnny and told him to be a good boy and 

* Her own expression. 



Ij6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

he would go to heaven, said she was going to Jesus 
and to her dearest father, and quietly and sweetly- 
breathed her last. How like her life has her death 
been ! Dearest John says never was there a spirit 
more meet for heaven, and this would be the testi- 
mony of every one who knew her well. 

William Forster to E. P. G., on the death of 
Anna Backhouse. 

Second mo. 3d, 1848. 

... I know we ought to rejoice and give thanks 
that our dear Anna is safely gathered to her heavenly 
rest, but still we cannot but feel what we have lost. 
It may not be for our comfort to dwell too much 
upon the time and place and circumstances under 
which she was led through the dark valley, but 
rather to cherish all confidence that her Lord was 
with her, that His blessing rested upon her, that 
His eye was over her, that He cared for her, that 
He ministered to her abundantly, according to what 
He knew to be her need, and that she — blessed 
be His name ! — knew that He had prepared a 
mansion for her in His Father's house. What more 
ought we, could we, ask or desire? 

Surely we are bound more than ever to confess 
to the wisdom and love of our tender and merciful 
Father in Heaven that He took dearest Joseph to 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



177 



Himself before all this came upon us. Certainly it 
was at an hour appointed of God, and chosen in His 
love. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Earlham, Second mo. 9th, 1848. 

I told William that I should read the letter from 
Palermo to the servants and villagers in the evening, 
with a few observations I had made upon it, and 
when we went into the anteroom, to my surprise, I 
found it filled, — between fifty and sixty persons pres- 
ent. Nothing could exceed their profound attention, 
and the feeling they manifested almost prevented my 
getting on. But I was enabled to finish it, and a 
most interesting and solemn time we had. 

E. P. G. to . 



Earlham (no date). 
My beloved Friend, — Thy kind, sympathizing 
letter was duly received, and very acceptable, but I 
do not feel as if I could write much to any one. 
"By terrible things in righteousness" the Lord seems 
indeed to have been answering our prayers that He 
would make us wholly His own ; and very solemn 
has been the conviction which this added sorrow has 
sealed on my own mind that there will soon be but 
little left to divert my attention from heaven and 
heavenly things, while the attraction thitherward is 



i 7 8 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



continually strengthening. A more affectionate, du- 
tiful, loving, and sympathizing daughter no own 
mother could, I think, have possessed, and the loss 
is great in proportion. I believe I may truly say not 
a single cloud intercepted the closeness of our union 
from its commencement to its close ; and we have 
kept up a regular correspondence, whenever we have 
been separated, for the last seven years. Some of 
her letters from the Continent have been peculiarly 
sweet, and manifest a ripeness for the heavenly in- 
heritance very surprising in so young a person. 

S. Grellet to E. P. G. 

Third mo. 8th, 1848. 

My beloved Friend, — Through the kind atten- 
tion of thy dear sister Clarke we have received this 
morning the very affecting and mournful intelligence 
of the sore bereavement thou hast so soon again to 
witness by the decease of thy so tenderly beloved 
daughter, Anna Backhouse. We are sensible what 
a rending of heart this is to thee, and to many other 
of her nearly attached relatives, with whom we 
mingle in near sympathy. It seems as if thou hadst 
now to drink again of the full cup of bitterness that 
was by Him, whose ways and dispensations are all in 
wisdom and in mercy, prepared for thee very little 
more than twelve months before. I doubt not, be- 



ELIZA P. GUKNEY. 



179 



loved friend, but that the same Almighty arm that 
was then so eminently and graciously extended for 
thy support and consolation is now also felt by thee 
to be very near, and that thou canst with faith and 
assurance draw on the present occasion comfort and 
consolation out of the same stream thou didst so 
bountifully before. Amidst deep mourning there is, 
methinks, the springing up of great joy. Father 
and daughter were very closely united in their lives ; 
they are now also after death. I thought her a very 
lovely plant. She loved the Saviour, and He loves 
His own unto the end. Dear Eliza, in Divine mercy, 
may we not contemplate thy steps to have been 
directed to England, not to contract ties to attach 
thee to this life through great and sweet enjoyments, 
but to form ties that draw thy spirit strongly heav- 
enward, where the rich treasures are gathering, 
whereto thy heart also is often lifted up? Yet a 
little while, my dear sister, and, through the tender 
mercies of the dear Redeemer, thou wilt be per- 
mitted to join the purified spirits in keeping the 
solemn feast of ingathering. 

In the Sixth mo., 1848, E. P. Gurney was grati- 
fied by the arrival of her sister, Julia K. Clarke, 
from America, for an extended visit, which was 
truly cheering and comforting to her. 



!8o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

The large establishment at Earlham, with its 
heavy cares and responsibilities, had now become a 
burden from which E. P. Gurney felt that she should 
be relieved. The tie that had held her there was 
broken, the charm dispelled. 

"... The radiance was not dim 

That used to gild his favorite hill ; 
The pleasures that were dear to him 

Were dear to life and nature still. 
The life was gone, the breath had fled, 

And what had been no more could be ; 
The well-known form, the welcome tread, — 

Oh, where were they, and where was he?" 

Yet the elegant home, which taste and skill had 
so long labored to beautify and adorn, could not be 
left without awakening deep and mingled feelings in 
all who had shared in its enjoyments. Well might 
Catharine Gurney write to E. P. G. : . . . " I don't 
like to think of the future as it regards Earlham, 
and can only trust it will be ordered aright for all of 
us. How I do feel the force of those words, ' I have 
seen an end of all perfection ;' but we must not omit 
as the contrast, 'Thy commandment is exceeding 
broad/ Nothing ever made us feel this so power- 
fully as the event of last year. Such a rooting up 
of earthly dependence !" 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



181 



E. P. G.'s plans were thus foreshadowed in a letter 
to her cousin and sister-in-law, S. A. Bacon, with 
whom she at one time had a most happy home : 

Earlham, 1848. 

... I do not yet see my way clearly to anything, 
but I think the probability is I shall remain at Earl- 
ham until the Sixth mo,, and then remove to the 
Grove, the dear old residence of Joseph Gurney, the 
father of Hannah C. Backhouse. It is a sweet spot, 
only three miles from Earlham, and I have some 
deeply interesting associations with it, so that if I 
leave Earlham I shall prefer going there; but I wish 
to be directed in every step. It would be a wrench 
indeed to tear myself away from this loved spot, but 
if it is in right ordering it will all be made easy. 

At present peace rests in a remarkable manner 
on my tarriance here. 

Amelia Opie to E. P. G. 

Sixth mo. 23d, 1848. 

. . . Thou art often in my thoughts, and hast been 
often on my tongue this evening, for it is pleasant 
to talk of those we love and honor with those who 
appreciate them as we ourselves do. The near ap- 
proach now of my return to my new home is truly 

welcome to me. I have a strong conviction on my 

16 



!g 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

mind that I shall never probably see London again. 
I do not say this despondingly, but cheerfully, as I 
trust that my new home will appear to me a com- 
fortable one for my declining age, and a quiet place 
to die in. When a nun takes the veil, she puts on 
for the last time all the jewelled fineries and splendid 
apparel she used to be pleased to wear, and then she 
takes them off forever, and exchanges them for a more 
simple robe becoming her altered feelings. I com- 
pare my own present brilliant career here this year 
in many pleasant scenes, with welcoming and loving 
and distinguished friends around me, to the different 
scene which awaits me in my humble home and my 
more bounded circle ; where, forsaking probably for- 
ever my London scenes, I shall, I humbly hope, be 
happy to remain till this mortal shall put on immor- 
tality. It is time it should be so. It will not, how- 
ever, be so easy for me to give up Yearly Meeting. 
My recollections of that time are full of thee, dearest 
Eliza, and I remember with heartfelt pleasure thy 
interesting and touching and modest bearing in the 
meetings at which I saw thee, and I felt it a privilege 
to be always so near thee. 

E. P. G.'s removal to the Grove took place in the 
Seventh mo., 1848. 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



I8 3 



E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove, Ninth mo. 3d, 1848. 
I took my last farewell of the grounds with my 
sister, who was deeply feeling the whole thing. So 
far I had not shed a single tear, though my heart 
was heavy as lead ; but when, on our return to the 
house, I saw William Forster standing at the hall 
door, looking unutterably sad, I felt I could stout it 
out no longer, and completely broke down, which 
was a real relief to me, and made the actual drive- 
off much easier. Still, it was sad enough to turn my 
back forever on that cherished home, the birth- and 
burying-place of one far dearer to me than my own ex- 
istence, even when that existence was much brighter 
than it can ever be again. Our drive was one of al- 
most unbroken silence, but as soon as I reached this 
dear spot a gleam of comfort shot across my heart, 
accompanied with the conviction that it would indeed 
be a peaceable habitation and a quiet resting-place. 

A wakeful night was my portion, but not entirely 
sleepless, and far from being altogether a painful one, 
though it was strange and bewildering to feel myself 
really in a new home, to know the event I had so 
long looked forward to with dread has actually 
taken place, and that the dwelling I had entered 



1 84 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



with feelings of cloudless happiness not quite seven 
years ago was closed on me forever. But it is all in 
right ordering, and I must now leave the things that 
are behind and endeavor to press forward toward 
the mark. Oh, if I may but attain to it at last and 
win the prize ! 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove, Fifth mo. 3d, 1849. 
My aunt Paul, my sister Shoemaker, and some 
other of my relatives in Philadelphia are rather 
concerned about my health, having probably heard 
exaggerated accounts of it, and they urge my re- 
turning to America this summer with J. A. and 
Harriet, thinking my native air may do me good. 
I am, however, much better since our return from 
Dover, and do not see my way across the water 
at present. I may, nevertheless, tell thee, dearest 
mamma, that I have seen more light on revisiting my 
native land in the last few weeks than ever before, 
and I should not be surprised if another summer 
(not this) found me in Philadelphia. But I have no 
anxiety about it, and only desire to leave it in the 
hands of the great Disposer of events, who, I am 
well assured, will order all things wisely, and cause 
them to promote our highest good. I think I can- 
not yet spare Harriet. J. A. still talks of returning 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



I8 5 



after the Yearly Meeting, but some of the family 
have been persuading her that she cannot leave 
me, and indeed I should miss her very much, — her 
influence is so cheering in the house. 

The near approach of this annual gathering looks 
somewhat fearful, and one almost shrinks from en- 
countering it. How altered it is in its character 
since I first knew it ! so many gone and going. But 
what a blessed company of tenderly beloved ones is 
gathered and still gathering to the general assembly 
and church of the first born whose names are written 
in heaven! How many dear ones have returned to 
Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their 
heads ! May we be enabled, in some small measure, 
to unite in their praises and rejoice with their joy! 

Her sister, J. K. Clarke, returned to America in 
the summer of 1849. E. P. Gurney thus writes to 
her Eighth mo. 31st: 

It seems strange indeed to address thee with pen 
and ink, and I can scarcely believe thou art actually 
gone for good. Yet there is such a stamp of right 
upon the step, and that peace which passeth all 
understanding so remarkably rests upon it, I can- 
not have any misgivings. But perhaps we may all 

meet in America some day, as I quite look forward 

16* 



X 86 memoir and correspondence of 

to visiting my native land in the course of another 
year, and this makes it easier to part with thee, my 
beloved sister. Truly, thy visit was well timed. 
Thou hast secured many warm and attached friends, 
and wilt read our letters with increased zest, having 
a perfect knowledge of people and things ; so that in 
every way the gain of thy having come has been 
great Indeed, I do not know how I should have 
summoned courage to break away from all the fond 
associations of my dear Earlham home if it had 
not been for thy cheering influence. I have often 
thought that thou wast sent, in very tender mercy, 
to take me from the sorrows of the recent overwhelm- 
ing past, back to the happy days of early childhood, 
turning the current of my thoughts into a healthier 
channel, and giving me a hold on life again. 

Edward Pease to E. P. G. 

Eleventh mo. 14th, 1849. 

. . . Thy expression that my last had tended to 
cheer thee gives me a little courage, and bids me 
to say, dear Eliza, that thy most welcome, beauti- 
fully-filled sheet did deeply interest and comfort me. 
We are, I humbly trust, of that company of whom 
a book of remembrance was written, and, precious 
addition, " They shall be mine." Sometimes the 
love of Christ is so shed over us that, reverently, we 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



I8 7 



dare so to think and to believe ; and it seems to me 
that it has been so remarkably thy lot in life to see 
the wonders of the Lord in the depths of His deal- 
ings with thee, and in the indescribable extent of His 
loving kindness and purifying refinings, that, when 
the jewels are made up, thou wilt be there. I say not 
this in that affection that I bear to thee as a friend, 
great as that is, but from having long marked the 
turnings of the Lord's hand on thee, and giving thee 
of His peace as well as His power. And, dear Eliza, 
wherever thou art, or under whatever circumstances, 
have courage to use it, so that thy ways pleasing the 
Lord, if even there was enmity in any spirit, it should 
be at peace with thee ; so fear not. ... I can well 
comprehend the pleasure of mingling with thy be- 
loved relations, and while no one can condemn the 
execution of thy design (to visit America), yet my 
secret wish seems to be that it might not be carried 
out in my time, which may be very short. I do 
not like that this land should spare thee, and the 
church, in which thou hast a good and useful stand- 
ing, cannot spare thee permanently, so may I ask 
thee not to indulge one thought about settling there, 
but so long as I live let me have the pleasure of con- 
templating thy return, and that we may meet again ; 
if not, may we meet on a happier shore. 



!88 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove, Eleventh mo., 1849. 
Cousin Anna Gurney dined with us yesterday 
very agreeably, and I invited Lucy Aggs, Amelia 
Opie, and Anna Forster and her sister to meet her, 
which answered nicely. She came at three o'clock, 
on purpose that we might have a nice private chat 
together before the others arrived, and most sweet 
and affectionate she was. What a treat it is, in this 
little minny-minded world, to meet with a large- 
souled, generous, noble creature of whom you can 
approve entirely! Just such is Cousin Anna. I never 
was more deeply impressed with the greatness of 
her character than during our intimate conversation 
yesterday. What a splendid Friend and minister 
she would have made, notwithstanding her lame- 
ness ! Indeed, I think her very helplessness would 
have added to the effect, giving an emphasis of in- 
terest to the whole. But, alas ! not many rich, not 
many mighty, not many noble seem to stumble into 
our path, or rather, perhaps I should say, seem willing 
to be led into it. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove. 

... I then took them to Anderson Reid's and 
to the jail, to both of which places R. Sturges has 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



1 89 



rather a concern to go. The whole weight of the 
service, however, fell upon me, most unexpectedly, 
and she said she believed she had gone on my ac- 
count. I was much interested in two young women 
(one of them only eighteen) who are to be trans- 
ported. They were exceedingly affected when I 
addressed them, and listened with great interest to a 
tract we read to them. In parting I simply said, 
" Farewell ! I hope I may meet you next where there 
is no more sin and no more death ; but, remember, 
as death leaves us judgment will find us," and the 
poor creatures put up their aprons to their faces and 
sobbed aloud. I do not know when I have had such 
a sense of the awfulness of sin or of the exceeding 
greatness of redeeming love through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. We afterward visited a debtor, whose 
heart was as hard as a stone, a fine lady-like-looking 
person, but very high, and justifying herself in the 
strongest terms. She was brought down, however, 
in degree by being reminded that, though man may 
judge wrongfully, there is One that searcheth the 
heart, who will render unto each of us according to 
our works. " Whither shall I flee from Thy spirit?" 
R. Sturges also said a few words to her, and I hope 
her heart was touched, as she received our tracts 
with thanks ; but she was not in the tender state that 
those poor creatures were by any means. 



190 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove, First mo. 15th, 1850. 
Some part of every day since Sixth day last has 
been devoted to poor old Sarah Racey's dying bed. 
It was really quite striking to see any one so calm 
and self-possessed at such a moment, for she is 
evidently passing through the dark valley, and is 
entirely sensible of it. We had quite a smiling time 
over the blessedness of putting off mortality, with all 
its sorrows, sufferings, and tribulations, and being 
clothed upon with immortality, its light and joy and 
peace and happiness. She echoed all I said about it, 
clasping her hands and looking really pleased, as if 
she were about to take a pleasant journey and liked 
to hear of the accommodations at the end of it. I 
could not understand myself to be so utterly un- 
moved by such a scene, — death used to seem so 
awful to me. Has my heart grown colder, or is it 
that we learn to form a truer estimate of things as 
life goes on ? Instead of being the end of pleasure 
and enjoyment, as we are apt to consider it in early 
life, we learn to think of it as the termination of sor- 
row and suffering, and the commencement of true 
happiness. She broke forth into praises and thanks- 
giving just before I left her, very touchingly ex- 
claiming, with a voice broken by the great oppres- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ! 9 ! 

sion on her breathing, " Oh, yes, my Saviour is most 
merciful. He does not willingly afflict me. Blessed 
forever be His worthy name !" 



From E. P. G.'s Journal. 

Grove, First mo. 21st, 1850. — Oh, were it not that 
we are graciously permitted and invited to come 
with our emptiness to the fulness which is in Christ, — 
aye, and with the burthen of our guilt and trans- 
gression, — to the atoning fountain of the everlasting 
covenant, what would become of any one of us ? 
Help, Lord, or we perish forever ! 

There is something very sad, almost humiliating 
to me, in the idea of time blunting our feelings, so 
that we do not feel the same acute sorrow for the 
loss of those we so tenderly loved as we did in the 
early days of our bereavement, while suffering under 
the immediate pressure of the stroke, and while the 
wound is bleeding freshly from the sudden rend- 
ing of the cherished tie. Yet surely this is in the 
merciful ordering of Him whose name is Love. 

(i Sunk in self-consuming anguish, 
Can the poor heart always ache ? 
No ! the tortured nerve will languish, 
Or the strings of life must break." 



192 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



I have often been reminded latterly of these beau- 
tiful lines of Montgomery and have felt their truth ; 
yet surely I have no cause to quarrel with my own 
heart for not being faithful to its sorrows, if I may 
so speak. They seem to be engraven upon it with 
an iron pen, and I believe death alone will ever 
obliterate them. 

How often, under a humbling sense of my own 
poverty and nothingness, have I been led to put up 
the petition of the royal Psalmist, " O God, Thou 
knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hidden 
from Thee. Let not those that wait on Thee be 
ashamed for my sake ; let not those that seek Thee 
be confounded for my sake, Lord God of Israel.' , 
And I believe in this instance He was pleased to 
hear my prayer. 

J. C. B. lent us the " Life of Goldsmith," by 
Washington Irving, and I commenced reading it to 
H. C. B., as she liked, beside the Bible, to have some 
book on hand, and this we thought might serve to 
entertain her. But we soon found that it was any- 
thing but satisfactory, and were glad to substitute 
the " Life of Rebecca Jones," in which she became 
deeply interested. She did not, however, like to 
give up " Goldsmith" entirely, and we continued to 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. Ig3 

read a very small portion every day until we finished 
the volume. The account of his last days evidently 
affected her, and I shall not soon, I believe, forget 
either the serious expression of her countenance or 
the emphatic manner with which she repeated his 
last words, " I feel uneasy !" " Oh," she said, " what 
a life and what a death ! That word ' uneasy,' what 
does it convey? Not only the suffering of the body, 
but a mind ill at ease at such an hour!" I do not 
remember hearing her speak with so much energy 
on any occasion, and again and again she remarked, 
"What an unsatisfactory life was that poor man's!" 
It seemed like trying it in the balance of the sanc- 
tuary on the verge of eternity, and when the life of 
pleasure was so tried it was indeed found sorrowfully 
wanting. In the unpretending history of the labors 
and sacrifices of Rebecca Jones her spirit seemed 
always to find both refreshment and repose. 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove, Second mo. nth, 1850. 
Chenda thinks my sister, Catherine Gurney, is very 
much coming round about my going to America, 
and that they are all resolved to look on the bright 
side and regard it only as a temporary separation, 
fully expecting to see me again next year, if life is 
granted. Thou must follow their example, should 

17 



194 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

it really seem best for me to go. But at present 
"my eyes are holden" and my faith a little tried, 
the time for decision seems drawing so near, and 
there are so many arrangements that will have to be 
made about house and servants and horses and 
everything. Yet I do trust I may be preserved from 
any undue anxiety, which has so far been remark- 
ably the case ; and a little faith is given me that 
light will arise from obscurity, and my darkness be- 
come as the noonday. Thou wilt not be surprised, 
however, that I feel the responsibility of the whole 
thing ; and then I am so wonderfully left to my own 
devices as regards any human aid. Certainly it 
would not always be a comfort to me to believe that 
those tenderly beloved ones who are taken from us 
are cognizant of what is passing in their earthly 
homes. I should be quite beset with the notion 
that some of my hours of untold loneliness would 
cause disquiet and discomfort even there. One 
scarcely knows what to wish about it, for, oh ! the 
anguish which those words have given me : " His 
breath goeth forth ; he returneth to his earth ; in that 
very day his thoughts perish." " Also their love 
and their hatred is now perished, neither have they 
any more a portion in anything that is done under 
the sun." Oh, how these things have saddened my 
solitary heart ! But there is one thing I will believe 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



195 



in, and that is recognition in a future state. What it 
would be to be welcomed into those joys which eye 
hath not seen nor ear heard, by some of those re- 
deemed ones whom we have dearly loved ! I have 
quite enjoyed " Dr. Gordons Life," which I got on 
thy recommendation. His thoughts of death and 
heaven were so delightful. Surely, if we lived 
nearer to the Source of light, we should have more 
frequent glimpses of the better land. The apostle 
says, " Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and to the 
city of the living God, the New Jerusalem, to an 
innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits 
of just men made perfect." Then why should we 
not hold communion with them and realize their 
joy and blessedness ? Why should we not, like 
Stephen, see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing 
on the right hand of the throne of God ? Is it not 
because we do not walk in the Spirit as Stephen did ? 

E. P. G. to H. C. B. 

Grove, Third mo. 3d, 1850. 
I begin to long to see thee, dearest mamma, and 
the thought of it in meeting this afternoon was ac- 
companied with a feeling of true sweetness, and an 
earnest desire that we might know yet more of a 
living spiritual union ; so that, whether we are per- 
mitted to spend many of our remaining days to- 



196 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



gether, or whether the broad Atlantic shall roll 
between us, we may indeed be each other's joy in 
the Lord. After a season of rather unusual lowness, 
in which I think I have known something of being 
" baptized into the cloud and into the sea," partly, 
perhaps, from being left so solitary, this has been a 
day of arising, wherein the new song has been put 
into my mouth, even praises unto our God. Indeed,* 
so precious has been the sense of His love and 
power, that I thought, as I sat in profound quietness 
this afternoon, that if only a small portion of the 
peace which has filled my heart this day were gra- 
ciously vouchsafed to me during the remainder of 
my pilgrimage, it would be of little consequence 
whether it was spent in England or America. 

" Could I be cast where Thou art not, 
That were indeed a dreadful lot ; 
But if, O God ! Thou guid'st my way, 
'Tis equal joy to go or stay." 

This, I believe, is the sincere breathing of my 
heart, so thou need not be afraid to trust me; for 
thou knowest, as well as I do, that I can be no 
comfort to anybody out of my right allotment, and, 
setting aside all natural inclination and affectionate 
bias, I shall depend upon thy helping me to ascertain 
what my duty is. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. T gy 

Dear Susanna Corder is very much set against my 
leaving England, and says that, because I do not see 
clear light upon going, it is evident that it is not 
right for me to leave ; but, on the other hand, I see 
less light upon remaining here. So what hath he to 
do " that walketh in darkness," but " trust in the 
Lord and stay upon his God" ? 

Then, with regard to what thou sayst about the 
Society troubles in America, I can truly say they do 
not at all disturb me, except to make me feel the 
desirableness of being rightly guided. It is my full 
intention to go knowing nothing, and " owing no 
man anything but to love one another." 

" Why should we differ by the way? 
Why should dissensions come ? 
We hope to spend an endless day 
In one eternal home." 

. . . And I have so enjoyed dear Edward Pease's 
account of thee, especially of thy " peaceful coun- 
tenance and bright and acceptable communications" 
in meeting, of which he has often spoken. So pray 
go on in faith, and never mind a few wandering 
thoughts. I wonder if there ever was that being 
who was not troubled with them, since the days of 
him who said, " That which I would I do not." 
How sweet to remember Him who is touched with 

a feeling of our infirmities !" 

i 7 * 



198 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



On the 6th of Fifth mo., 1850, occurred the death 
of E. P. G.'s long-tried and honored friend, H. C. 
Backhouse, — a mother in Israel, loved and venerated 
alike for her works' sake, the charm of her society, 
and for her kindly and affectionate nature. Ever 
since their first association in America, the intimate 
relations then established between them had deep- 
ened and strengthened with their constant inter- 
course ; and the maternal and filial regard mutually 
entertained, as years passed on, had grown into the 
closest Christian love and friendship, and the shock 
of parting was correspondingly severe. E. P. G.'s 
friends were abundant in their expressions of sym- 
pathy under this new trial. 

Susanna Corder to E. P. Gurney. 

Fifth mo. 7th, 1 850. 

. . . The sympathy which I feel with thee, dearest 
Eliza, cannot be expressed by me, but I feel assured 
thou wilt be strengthened and consoled by thy 
gracious Master, and that thou wilt be enabled to 
pursue the same path of perfect dedication which 
she so nobly and faithfully walked in, in which the 
dearest ties of nature never held her back from fol- 
lowing her Lord, and from laboring in His glorious 
cause of truth. Neither death nor life, neither spirits 
nor powers, nor any other created thing, could 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. Y gg 

hinder her work of faith ; and now surely her mantle, 
which often has covered thee, is henceforth to rest 
upon thee continually, and He who hath specially ' 
chosen thee, designs to be perfectly thy all in all, to 
His praise and glory. 

From E. P. G.'s Journal. 

Elisha Bates and Nathan Hunt addressed us very 
strikingly soon after we were banded together in 
America, comparing our companionship to that of 
Elijah and Elisha, and predicting that if I were with 
her at the close her mantle would descend upon me. 
So, I suppose, as I was not with her, it is to descend 
upon dear Jane, who is far more worthy to receive it 
in every way. How often did her precious mother 
remind me of the prediction, saying she felt satisfied 
I would one day come to England, if only to fulfil it. 
Oh, if a little portion of her loving, dedicated spirit 
might but rest upon me ! 

Just as I was leaving her she drew me to her very 
affectionately, and said, with emphasis, " Farewell, 
my darling 1 ! the God of Peace go with thee, bless 
thee, and prosper thee in all thy ways, and abund- 
antly qualify thee for every work and service into 
which He may be pleased to call thee." So be it, 
saith my soul. 



200 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

During a family gathering at Darlington, soon 
after the decease of H. C. Backhouse, E. P. Gurney 
was addressed in a striking manner by her friend 
and relative, John Hodgkin. The following outline 
of his remarks was taken down from memory : 

During the time of our being thrown so interest- 
ingly together, my dear sister-cousin, on an occasion 
very solemn to us both, my spirit has been united to 
thine in bonds of a spiritual relationship which is 
closer than any natural tie. I have felt that this 
awful stroke has made thee (who hast been once " a 
widow indeed") twice an orphan, and have believed 
that in the desolation of thy feelings thou mayst be 
ready to conclude thou hast seen an end of all perfec- 
tion, and that there is nothing now worth living for. 
But how strongly have I felt amid all this desola- 
tion that the Eternal God has been thy refuge, and 
underneath thee are the everlasting arms ! While, 
like the prophet of old, thou hast beheld the com- 
panion whom thou hast so dearly loved, and to 
whom thou wast united by no common tie, ascend 
as it were to the very gates of heaven, may we not 
believe a portion of her spirit has descended upon 
thee ? Truly, my beloved cousin, thou hast known 
many and deep baptisms of flesh and spirit, baptisms 
into the cloud and into the sea. Yea, hast thou not 
known something of what it is to be baptized for 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 OI 

the dead ? And all these fiery baptisms have been 
doing their office in purifying and cleansing and pre- 
paring thee for a yet fuller development, a yet larger 
exercise of thy various natural and spiritual gifts. 

When our blessed Lord was about to reascend 
into heaven, His command to His chosen disciples 
was, " Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them 
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost ; and, lo ! I am with you alway, even unto the 
end of the world." Now, my dear sister, in looking 
forward to the change of allotment that may prob- 
ably be awaiting thee, this command has afresh re- 
vived in my mind ; and in entering a little into the 
probable conflicts and trials which may be thy por- 
tion, I have been encouraged and comforted on thy 
behalf in remembering the gracious assurance which 
followed, addressed to them that believe : " In my 
name ye shall cast out devils, and speak with new 
tongues. Ye shall take up serpents, and if ye drink 
any deadly thing, it shall not hurt you. Ye shall 
lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." I 
have been given to believe that thou, my dear 
cousin, wouldst realize something of this in thy ex- 
perience ; that, dwelling in the secret of His pavilion, 
thou wouldst be kept from the strife of tongues; 
that, even though thou shouldst tread upon what 
might be comparable to deadly serpents, they would 



202 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

not be permitted to hurt thee ; yea, that, in the power 
of thy Lord, thou shouldst even be enabled to lay 
hands on the spiritually sick, and they should re- 
cover; for the anointing oil would be so poured upon 
thy head as to descend upon the troubled waters 
and cause a blessed calm. Therefore I would have 
thee be of good courage, for I do assuredly believe 
thy shoes shall be iron and brass, and " as thy day is 
so shall thy strength be." 

E. Barclay adds, in connection with the fore- 
going— 

. . . Then dear cousin E. P. G. said, very sweetly, 
" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it 
entered into the heart of man to conceive the good 
things the Lord hath in store for them that love 
Him." But God hath revealed them unto us by His 
spirit. Have we not, my beloved friends, at this 
solemn hour known something of the revealing of 
the good things of the kingdom ? Have we not, in 
the tender mercy of the Lord, had some fresh sense 
given us of the glorious realities of the inheritance of 
the saints in light, — a little glimpse as it were within 
the veil ? Have we not almost heard the sound of 
the redeemed ones returning to Zion, with songs and 
everlasting joy upon their heads ? And has not the 
acknowledgment been raised in some of our hearts, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



203 



11 Verily there is a reward for the righteous ; verily 
there is a God who judgeth in the earth"? 

The loosening of so many ties which had hitherto 
bound her to her English home had for some time 
past, as has been seen, permitted E. P. Gurney seri- 
ously to entertain the thought of a return to her 
native land, at least for a time. She wrote to Mary 
Anna Longstreth, Sixth mo. 17th, 1850: 

My way seems now remarkably opening for a 
return to my own land, at least for a season, and it 
was deeply impressed upon my mind that this would 
be the case some months ago, even when dearest 
H. C. B. was well as usual, though I never could 
believe it would be right for me to leave her, and my 
sister Catherine was strongly opposed to my going 
while she lived. Now the former is gathered home 
to her heavenly inheritance, and the latter is so far 
on her journey as to be wholly weaned from all 
earthly things, and I have already taken my leave of 
her, never expecting to see her again in mutability. 
Thou wilt easily believe, my beloved Marianna, that 
all this has not been passed through without much 
deep suffering; but it is my earnest desire to be 
more and more enabled to leave the things that are 
behind, and to press forward with renewed diligence 
toward the mark, looking solely unto Jesus, the 



204 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Author and Finisher of our faith. It is no light thing 
to me to think of returning to Philadelphia again, 
and I have always felt that I could not do it in my 
own way and time; but " simply follow as I lead" 
is the command that seems to be given me, and in 
endeavoring to do so, whatever my outward allot- 
ment may be, I feel a sweet and consoling assurance 
that my mind will be kept in peace. 

This has hitherto been strikingly the case in the 
midst of many tribulations, and why should I doubt 
it now? May I be gifted with a double portion of 
"that wisdom which, by reason of its purity, pass- 
eth through all things," giving no offence to any, 
" neither to the Jew, nor to the Gentile, nor to the 
Church of God." " Owing no man anything, but to 
love one another." This, I can truly say, is the 
unfeigned prayer of my heart, and I humbly and 
reverently trust that He who searcheth the heart 
will hear and answer it. 

Lady H. Buxton to E. P. Gurney. 

Seventh mo. 17th, 1850. 

... I do feel thou hast been most faithful, gen- 
erous, sympathizing, and helpful to us all, and we 
have loved thee as a dear sister, an immense bless- 
ing and gift to our darling brother, and a comfort to 
us all. I trust thou wilt leave thy dear home and 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



205 



this country for a season, with deep hopefulness that 
the grace of God has so abounded as to have enabled 
thee to do His will amongst us, to glorify His grace 
and His name, and to be made a remarkable bless- 
ing, not to our dearest Joseph only, but to us and 
to a large circle. I cannot say, dearest Eliza, how 
deeply I feel this. Thou hast been truly a blessing 
to us, a comfort, an encouragement, a minister of the 
Gospel, and a distributer of good things, spiritual 
and temporal. With tears I feel what thou hast 
been, with gratitude that we have had thee, my 
love, and now I feel that thy duty lies with thy 
own land and thy own people, and for a season we 
are willing to give thee up, though we feel what the 
giving up is. 

E. P. Gurney's prospect of leaving England rapidly 
matured, and her preparations were made for an early 
departure ; her niece, H. H. Kirkbride, accompany- 
ing her. 

E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Seventh mo. 17th, 1850. 

. . . We expect to leave the Grove on Seventh 

day week, spend a few days at Upton, and go on 

board the " Niagara" on the 3d of Eighth mo., a 

little more than two weeks from this time. I can 

scarcely believe what I write, it seems so incredible. 

18 



2o6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Pray do not be anxious about us. We have no fear 
of the sea, and shall very likely have a smooth and 
pleasant voyage. I am sure thou wilt be glad to 
hear that there is not the shadow of a cloud in the 
way, but all looks bright before me, though, of 
course, I truly feel the prospect of returning to 
America, as w T ell as the thought of leaving many 
tenderly loved ones here, to some of whom our 
preparation for departure has given more pain than 
I anticipated. 

On the eve of her embarkation a number of her 
friends assembled at Liverpool to bid farewell to 
one who had become so closely united to them, and 
her honored friend, William Forster, addressed her 
most impressively. The following brief sketch of 
his remarks has been preserved : 

11 Great peace have they that love Thy law, and 
nothing shall offend them." Although I cannot 
always appropriate this promise to myself, yet I think 
I have been enabled to rejoice in it on thy account, 
my dearly beloved sister, believing that thou art one 
of those who do indeed love the law of the Lord, 
and that thou hast been faithfully endeavoring, since 
thou hast been called from thy kindred and thy 
native country, to yield obedience to its manifested 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



207 



requirings, in doing which thou hast known the 
blessed promise abundantly verified. Great peace 
has been thy portion, and nothing has been able to 
offend thee. And I have felt comforted in the per- 
suasion that, in following the leadings of thy Lord 
and Master, who is now taking thee from us for a 
season, thou wilt continue to witness the fulfilment 
of this gracious assurance; so that whatever trials 
may be permitted to assail thee, the angel of His 
presence shall encamp round about thee and nothing 
be permitted to offend. 

The memory of the just is blessed and will not 
decay. Very precious has been the remembrance of 
our tenderly beloved departed brother since we have 
been assembled together on this very interesting and 
to me deeply affecting occasion ; for I feel that I am 
parting with a precious sister, — a sister in the un- 
changeable truth, a sister dearly beloved in the Lord. 
Ah, I believe our dear departed brother has been 
very near to many of us at this time, and I have 
rejoiced in thinking how thy various steppings since 
thou wast written " widow and desolate" would have 
been approved by him, how entirely he would now 
sanction this step; so that, in a little fresh faith and 
confidence, I can bid thee go forward in the name of 
the Lord, believing assuredly that He will never 
leave thee nor forsake thee ; for He has promised 



208 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

(and His promises are yea and amen forever) that 
He will be with His children always, even unto the 
end of the world. Yea, and I believe He will again 
and again put the new song into thy mouth, even 
praises unto His great and ever-excellent name. 




55 

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ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



209 



CHAPTER IV. 

Soon after E. P. Gurney's arrival in America she 
settled at West Hill, a retired and commodious 
mansion beautifully situated about two miles from 
Burlington, New Jersey, originally occupied by 
Samuel Emlen, and latterly the home of Susanna R. 
Smith, an esteemed minister of Burlington meeting. 
Her household arrangements were peculiarly happy 
and congenial. Her widowed sisters, Mary Ann 
Williams and Julia K. Clarke, were both with her; 
the former under her roof, the latter occupying a 
pleasant cottage near at hand. She delighted in the 
cheerful society of her younger relatives, some of 
whom were constantly gathered about her in the 
mutual exchange of kindly service. In the im- 
mediate neighborhood resided several families of her 
intimate friends, with whom she maintained daily 
intercourse. Prominent among these were Harrison 
Alderson, a valuable minister, Dr. Joseph W. Tay- 
lor, his sister Hannah and his brothers Abram M. 
and James Taylor, and Susanna R. Smith (above 

mentioned), with their families. 

18* 



2io MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

The atmosphere of the place was rich with spirit- 
ual graces and intellectual culture, and the house- 
hold grew year by year more attractive and beautiful. 
Those who were favored with access to its inner life 
can never forget the elegant simplicity of the ample 
parlors, devoid of useless ornament, but supplied 
with all the appliances for restful ease or profitable 
study, — the capacious chair from which the mistress 
of the mansion presided over her domain with 
courtly grace; the store of books, always ready to 
be handed with wise selection to casual guests ; the 
hospitable dining-room, the scene of so many cheer- 
ful and memorable gatherings ; and the literary 
treasures piled upon the shelves of the library. 

To the members of her own religious society the 
house was especially a centre of attraction. Ministers 
from distant parts of the country received freely of 
her wise counsels and ready sympathy, as well as 
substantial aid in large measure ; and the young 
people delighted in her sprightly and instructive 
converse and unaffected interest in all their affairs. 

In reference to a few of her friends more remotely 
situated, it may be allowed to quote from an inter- 
esting notice by J. B. Braithwaite, published in the 
" Annual Monitor," England: 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 211 

" At Philadelphia, also, there was a large circle 
with whom E. P. Gurney continued to maintain de- 
lightful Christian intercourse. There was Israel W. 
Morris, the aged veteran of Green Hill Farm, near 
Philadelphia, whose recollection reached back to the 
times of Washington, if not also to those of the 
Revolutionary war; who in younger and middle 
life was, like Dr. Taylor, a devoted companion and 
helper to the Lord's messengers, and remained to the 
last an upright pillar in the Church, whose memory 
is precious to those who knew him. With him may 
be associated three others, all remarkable men, pre- 
senting in their somewhat differing characteristics 
varied aspects of the same precious truth which they 
equally loved, — Thomas Evans, a member of a well- 
known and influential family, the compiler of the 
" Exposition of the Faith of the Society of Friends," 
and one of the editors of the " Friends' Library," 
whose mind, disciplined in the school of Christ, and 
enriched by varied reading and culture, was a treas- 
ure of Christian wisdom and experience ; Samuel 
Bettle (whose father had been the able clerk to 
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting during the trials of the 
separation), in whom the calm dignity of the Christian 
minister was beautifully combined with the clothing 
of humility and a sympathy inexpressibly tender ; 
and Charles Yarnall, a wise and faithful elder, dis- 



212 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

tinguished for sound and enlightened judgment, and 
a mind of varied culture seasoned with grace. Nor 
must his beloved sister, Amy Y. Tatum, also an 
elder, or John M. and Mary Whitall be forgotten 
in this little sketch (brief and imperfect as it must 
necessarily be), all overflowing with love, impressed 
with the King's image, and ready to be spent in His 
service. Such, amongst many others that might be 
named, were the friends amongst whom K P. Gurney 
felt it a privilege to pass the evening of her day, and 
whom it was her lot to survive." 

A warm welcome was extended to her on her 
settlement by tongue and pen. A few examples 
follow : 

Hannah B. Mott to E. P. G. 

Second mo. 1st, 1851. 

My dear Friend, — It has been so much on my 
mind for some days past to convey to thee an ex- 
pression of my most sincere pleasure on hearing of 
thy conclusion to dwell among us, that I will yield 
to the feeling and thus give thee my cordial wel- 
come. I have no doubt the subject has weighed 
much upon thy mind, and I rejoice in thy decision, 
at the same time that I hope I am able to enter into 
sympathy with thee at the prospect of entering upon 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 I$ 

thy new abode. Many contrasts and sad remem- 
brances will pour upon thy heart; but remember, 
dear Eliza, that the gardener, in removing some of 
his choicest plants, carefully seeks to place them in 
a poorer soil, covers them from the heat and shades 
them from the light, until the tender roots have timei 
to feel that they are at rest, and gradually expand 
and grow under the fostering care of one skilled in 
rearing them, one who knows just where to place 
them in a situation to flourish and spread abroad 
their fragrance and beauty. So, in time, my dear 
friend, I hope not only to see West Hill rejoicing 
under thy tasteful care and blossoming as the rose, 
but that thou also, as the dispenser of much comfort 
and happiness to those around thee, wilt find a sweet 
reward in thy own bosom, verifying the language 
of the poetical Jeremiah : " Seek ye the peace of the 
city whither I have caused you to be carried away 
captive, and pray unto the Lord for it, for in the 
peace thereof shall ye have peace. ,, 

E. P. G. to Susanna Corder. 

West Hill, Ninth mo. 3d, 185 1. . 

. . . Now I am settled in my Jersey home, I have 

quite a longing to see some of your familiar faces, 

and think you cannot leave it long before you come. 

How thou wouldst enjoy mingling with dear Stephen 



214 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Grellet and his wife, Richard Mott and his daughter, 
the Allinsons, Susan R. Smith, etc. ! I do not think 
there is such a circle of friends to be found anywhere, 
— so much refinement and true Christian charity. 
But death is making gradual inroads into it, and in a 
few years more it probably will be greatly changed. 
Already two of its brightest ornaments are gone, — 
Richard Mott's wife, a truly dignified and upright 
pillar in the Church, within the last two months, 
and dear Abigail Barker, while I was in England. 
So do not leave it long, or thou wilt never know 
from actual observation what a sweet band of Chris- 
tians we have had amongst us. I cannot tell thee 
what a help and comfort dear Stephen Grellet has 
been to me since coming here, — a father in the truth 
I may well call him. His spirit is so sweet and 
heavenly we cannot hope to keep him long amongst 
us, though he is now apparently recovering from a 
fearful illness which brought him very low. I think 
I must give thee an outline of a precious sermon he 
addressed to me a few weeks since, which I took 
down directly afterward in my private journal. He 
seemed very anxious to see me in my new home, 
and, though scarcely equal to the effort, not having 
taken so long a drive for several years, he came one 
morning early, accompanied by his precious wife, 
who is scarcely less of a saint than himself. (Have 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



215 



we not good Scripture authority for calling the right- 
eous so ?) I felt it a privilege to have them under 
my roof, and, after we had conversed a little together 
I took dear Rebecca over the house to show her the 
alterations and improvements. When we returned 
we found her venerable husband, who truly looks 
like an apostle, reclining in a large arm-chair, his 
face illuminated with the anointing oil, so that it 
fairly shone like Stephen's. He beckoned us to be 
seated, and a covering of solemnity came over us at 
once such as I rarely remember to have witnessed. 
After a little time the dear old man broke forth in 
nearly the following words, or at least this is a cor- 
rect outline of his striking sermon : " * Thy prayers 
and thine alms are come up for a memorial before 
God.' While thou hast been so kindly engaged, my 
beloved sister, in showing my wife the alterations and 
improvements in the accommodation of thy outward 
dwelling-place, thy external habitation, my mind has 
been occupied in following thee, as it were, into the 
inner temple, the temple of the heart, where I have 
seen the rod that budded, and the precious offerings, 
and the sweet incense ascending. Yes, I was wander- 
ing, whilst thou wast absent, into thy little sanctuary, 
where thou hadst just been pouring out thy prayers 
and supplications to the Lord, renewing thy cove- 
nant with Him, and the odor of the ointment filled 



2i6 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

the room. Ah, my endeared sister, it has been given 
me to see in my inward vision, while I have been 
silently musing in this thy pleasant earthly abode, 
that the offerings and the sacrifices which thou hast 
made in that little sanctuary, when no human eye 
saw thee, had indeed ascended as sweet incense 
before the Lord, and were accepted of Him. Then 
is not this cause for encouragement to continue to 
put thy whole trust in Him? Has He not been 
with thee all thy life long, guiding thee by His 
counsel, and remarkably sustaining thee by His spirit 
in times of deep trial and sore adversity? and has 
He not promised that He will be with His own always, 
even unto the end of the world ? Then lift up thy 
head in hope, my endeared sister. He who has been 
with thee in six troubles will not forsake thee in the 
seventh. He will continue to pour forth of His 
anointing oil upon thee, and qualify thee for His 
own work and service more and more; yea, thou 
shalt be as a fruitful field, the smell whereof shall 
be known afar off," etc. 

This is the merest skeleton of a deeply-interesting 
sermon. I feel it wants all the bones and sinews to 
make it complete, but I know it will interest thee 
and dear Jane Fox. I think thou hadst better not 
show this to any one else : it might convey a very 
wrong impression of my real condition, which has 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



217 



often been one of great discouragement and deep 
poverty since my return to my native land. 

Rebecca W. Allinson to E. P. G. 

Second mo. 21st, 1851. 

My dear Friend, — I hope it may not seem in- 
trusive if I offer, in a few words, the welcome which 
awaits thy coming to our little city, as one with 
whom we may take sweet counsel, and go up to the 
house of God in company. Our family are all pre- 
pared to rejoice that thou hast found permission to 
dwell amongst us ; and we trust, though thy spirit 
may often yearn for communion with distant dear 
ones, thou wilt find, in sojourning within our borders, 
that thou art truly in the midst of thine own people 
who will have it in their hearts to do thee good, 
and not evil, all the days of thy life. And though, 
beloved friend, a further acquaintance with our state 
may give thee to perceive that we are not rich or 
increased with goods, but often feel our little com- 
pany to be an afflicted and poor people, yet thou wilt 
not shrink from taking a share of our burdens, if thy 
dear Master thus commissions thee, that so, when 
the times of refreshing come from His presence, we 
may also rejoice together. Mayst thou, dear Eliza, 
more and more be enabled to praise the name of 

Him who hath " showed thee His marvellous kind- 

p 

19 



2i8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

ness in a strong city," and realize, in the Lord's own 
time, even while a pilgrim here, that He whom thou 
desirest to serve is indeed the " Repairer of the 
breach, the Restorer of paths to dwell in." 
In true affection, thy friend. 

A few extracts from E. P. G.'s journal, which was 
not very regularly kept, may properly find place 
here: 

West Hill, Seventh mo. 9th, 185 1. — Months pass 
away, and I seem to add nothing to my journal. Is 
it because I shrink from looking myself steadily in 
the face ? Ah, were it not that there is One who is 
touched with a feeling of our infirmities, who par- 
dons the iniquities of His penitent, believing chil- 
dren, and (notwithstanding their innumerable back- 
slidings) loves them freely, well might I faint beneath 
an overwhelming sense of my manifold shortcomings, 
yea, my " crimson sins." 

Three weeks have elapsed since I left Philadelphia, 
and the probability is I shall know it as an abiding- 
place no more. The way, however, clearly opened 
for pitching my tent in this delightful spot, and great 
was the relief and peace I felt. There are some 
very interesting persons there, to whom I feel much 
attached, and I left them with regrqjt. 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2IO 

Peaceful and happy has been my settlement in this 
quiet retreat, and, oh ! how have I desired that, let 
others do as they may, as for me and my house, we 
might serve the Lord ! " I will sing of mercy and 
judgment; unto Thee, O Lord, will I sing." I will 
behave myself wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when 
wilt Thou come unto me? I will walk within my 
house with a perfect heart." 

West Hill, Seventh mo. 16th, 185 1. — I must make 
a little memorandum of a deeply interesting visit I 
paid on Second day last, in company with Isaac and 
Rebecca Collins, to Hickory Grove. 

Dear Abigail Mott had had a paralytic stroke, and 
was lying in the room adjoining the parlor, in a very 
low condition physically, but calm and composed in 
spirit, quietly waiting till her change shall come. 
She is indeed a dignified mother in Israel, and as 
we stood by her bedside dear Hannah Mott re- 
marked, " The work is finished here ; I think I 
know it to be so ; and the words are continually in 
my mind, ' Soldier of Christ, well done !'" I thought 
this was a beautiful testimony from one who was so 
intimately acquainted with her, and I believe it to be 
a true one. 

The solemnity that reigned throughout our visit 
was very remarkable ; the odor of a well-spent life, 



220 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

and the sweet fragrance of a loving spirit, at peace 
with God and man, like Mary's ointment, seemed to 
fill the house, and precious was it to partake of the 
refreshment of it. But, oh ! it was most touching to 
see her faithful, stricken partner bowing beneath the 
stroke. While his submissive spirit seems to breathe 
the language, "It is the Lord; let Him do what 
seemeth him good," I believe his affectionate feel- 
ings make it difficult to utter " Thy will, not mine, 
be done." But the Lord, whom he has served so 
long faithfully, will " hear him in the day of trouble, 
send him help from His sanctuary, and strengthen 
him out of Zion." 

First mo. 29th, 1852. — While I painfully realize 
that my ties to this world are wonderfully loosened, 
I am often comforted by the conviction that to a 
better, holier inheritance they are increased and 
strengthened. He will keep that which is com- 
mitted unto Him: then, oh! what treasure I must 
have in heaven ! I love to dwell upon the blessed 
company assembled there, — father and mother, sis- 
ters and brothers, ujjcles and aunts and nieces, 
whom I dearly loved, beside those precious ones of 
later days, with whom, I trust I may say, I have 
been bound up in the bundle of life ; yea, I loved 
them as my own soul. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 221 

Fourth mo. 5th, 1852. — More than two months 
have passed since I opened this little volume, and 
now, could I record my many failures in watchful- 
ness, patience, condescension, gentleness, meekness, 
forbearance, charity, should I not have abundant 
cause for the acknowledgment that to me belongs 
blushing and confusion of face, but to my gracious 
Lord and Saviour long-suffering mercy and tender 
compassion, or would He not have cut me off for- 
ever ? Oh, that He would take away every remnant 
of the stony heart, and give me a heart of flesh, that 
I might never again, in an unguarded moment, give 
way to a hasty and impatient spirit, and thus inflict 
a wound on those I love ! 

Few things have cost me so much suffering as 
this apparent want of tenderness, this hasty, proud, 
and domineering spirit. My very soul detests it, 
and yet I surely do not strive against it as I ought, 
or I should not be always sinning and repenting as 
I am, one minute conferring a favor, and the next 
finding fault. Oh, that I might act less from impulse, 
and more from fixed principle ! 

" When I would do good, evil is present with me." 
Alas, alas ! who shall deliver me from the body of 
this death, who but the great Liberator, Christ 



222 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Jesus our Lord? With Him all things are possible, 
even the perfect restoration of my sinful heart to that 
image of holiness and purity that was lost in the 
Fall. Blessed Redeemer! wilt thou not hasten the 
day ? 

Since I wrote last, Eli and Sibyl Jones, at my 
request, have committed their two dear children to 
my care,* — one not yet two years old, the other 
eight. I feel it a great responsibility, much more so 
than I anticipated, but I believed it right to make 
the offer. May I be helped to do my duty by them ! 
for I am more and more persuaded I can do nothing 
well without Divine assistance. 

E. P. G. to C. W. Beesley (in allusion to the 
decease of H. C. Backhouse). 

Second mo., 1852. 

I send thee the last of the letters. Deeply inter- 
esting it has been to me to glance them over, and 
my very heart has ached under the fresh remem- 
brance that all that powerful love and sympathy 
have been withdrawn, and can be mine no more on 
earth forever. Yet other streams are mercifully 
opened, other hearts are warmed with pure and 

* E. and S. Jones were about embarking on a religious visit to 
Airica. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 223 

generous affection for me, and I desire to number 
my remaining blessings, while humbled under an 
abasing consciousness that I am utterly unworthy of 
the very least of all the many mercies which my 
indulgent heavenly Parent has bestowed upon me. 

... I longed to point 's attention to the 

Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world; 
for, though we must be born again, the new creation 
must be formed in us, — old things must be done 
away, and all things become new before we are made 
meet for an inheritance among the saints in light, 
yet how impotent are all our own endeavors to 
effect this work ! Is not the humbling preparation 
for it a deep and heartfelt sense of our natural de- 
pravity, and of our utter ^inability of ourselves to 
do any good thing, even to think a good thought? 
And will not this solemn conviction prostrate us at 
the mercy-seat as guilty sinners, yet with the fer- 
vent prayer, " A Saviour, or I die ; a Redeemer, or 
I perish forever!'' Oh, may we indeed know what 
it is to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 
by that new and living way which He hath conse- 
crated for us ! There is no other ; He hath Himself 
declared it : " No man cometh unto the Father but 
by me;" "I am the way, the truth, and the life." 
And having this holy High Priest over the house of 
God, the penitent believer is enabled, through the 



224 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 



riches of His grace, through the fulness of His 
intercession, the freeness of His pardoning and aton- 
ing love, " to draw near with a true heart, in full 
assurance of faith," — not for any works of righteous- 
ness that we have done, but because our hearts are 
sprinkled from an evil conscience by that blood of 
sprinkling which was shed for us abundantly on 
Calvary, and which can alone cleanse us from the 
defilement of our past iniquities, or free us from the 
guilt and power of sin. 

I know thou art not one of those who, on hearing 
the blessed doctrine of Christ crucified, would be 
ready to exclaim, " What then ? Shall we continue 
in sin, that grace may abound?" How striking the 
apostle's answer to his own query: "God forbid! 
How shall they that are dead to sin live any longer 
therein ?" Ah, no ! a living, saving faith in the 
Redeemer of men must bring forth fruits of right- 
eousness ; for faith without works is dead, being 
alone. 

E. P. G. to C. W. B. 

West Hill, Fifth mo. 3d, 1852. 
. . . After the full and somewhat oppressive week 
in Philadelphia, the rest and quiet of West Hill are 
most refreshing, and again and again have the words 
been passing through my mind, — 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 

" Oh, where is peace, for thou its paths hast trod, 
In stillness, in retirement, and with God?" 



225 



I do not say " in poverty," because I do not believe 
it is confined to any station, and I have happened to 
see it enjoyed in its fulness where He who giveth 
all things richly to enjoy had been pleased to pour 
in of the abundance of corn, wine, and oil, and 
added the yet richer blessing of a thankful heart. 
We are not told in the Bible that it is the rich or the 
poor, but the meek who shall inherit the earth and 
delight themselves in the abundance of peace. May 
we strive to become yet more and more of this 
blessed number ! Truly, I do not count myself to 
have apprehended, but this one thing I earnestly and 
prayerfully desire to do : leaving the things that are 
behind, and reaching forward unto those which are 
before, even the glorious realities of that city into 
which nothing that is unholy can ever come, I do 
desire to be strengthened to press forward toward 
the mark. Let this be our concern, and let us turn 
away from all the " voices that are in the world." 

E. P. G. to H. B. Mott. 

West Hill (no date). 
My beloved Friend, — As I think thy dear and 
honored father was a little suspicious of our incre- 
dulity with regard to his " chapter on scruples," last 



226 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

evening, I want thee to tell him, with my love, that 
it was not read to us in vain; for in the midnight 
watches, remembering what he said about cherishing 
our scruples and attending to them, and thus having 
more laid upon us, I endeavored to search and see 
whether there was anything in my own habitation 
that gave me uneasiness. The result of my cogita- 
tions is, I have ordered two silver gravy-boats and 
a silver dish to be put out of the way, and not to be 
forthcoming again. They were placed on the table 
without my direction, and I felt a little uneasy with 
it at the time, but I was beginning to get accustomed 
to seeing them there, and very likely the " scruple" 
would not have been attended to but for his timely 
hint. I do not know of anything else that has given 
me uneasiness, but if any one has been stumbled by 
me in any way, I hope you will be kind enough 
and candid enough to tell me of it. No one, I 
think, can have more respect for honest, truthful 
scruples than myself, believing that " whatsoever 
is not of faith is sin;" therefore "happy is he 
that condemneth not himself in the thing which he 
alloweth." 

I know my own weakness is great, but I think I 
do sincerely desire to be preserved from placing a 
stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in a brother's 
way. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



227 



I hope thy dear father was no worse for his exer- 
tions yesterday. Although there was no indication 
of it, my heart was afresh introduced into tender 
sympathy with him, in the low and solitary places 
he is passing through.* Thou, too, knowest well 
what it is, my precious friend and sister. 

E. P. G.'s domestic quiet was interrupted in the 
autumn of 1852 by an apprehension that she was 
called to religious service in some of the meet- 
ings of Friends in the Western States. She thus 
speaks of this engagement and its peaceful com- 
pletion : 

During this season of domestic solicitude my 
mind was invested with a concern to attend the 
Yearly Meeting of Indiana, and a few other meet- 
ings by the way. It was a comfort to me that the 
Monthly Meeting cordially united with the prospect, 
and gave me a very satisfactory certificate; for it 
would be trying indeed to go from home without 
the unity and sympathy of Friends. The question 
of companionship I desired to leave entirely to the 
great Disposer of events, who, I assuredly believe, 
does guide His poor dependent children, even to an 
hair's breadth ; and He knoweth our need of all these 

* Philippians iv. 19 ; [therefore] iv. 4. 



228 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

things. In a little while I heard that dear Rebecca 
Collins had the same concern, and that her husband 
was intending to accompany her. This struck me 
very pleasantly ; and on naming the subject to 
Mahlon Day, I found his mind also was drawn to- 
ward that Yearly Meeting, and had been for several 
years, though the way had not opened for attending 
it. Thus, without any effort on our parts, our little 
company seemed banded for the service, as it were; 
and I think we had reason to believe we were rightly 
united together. Some of the Providences of the 
interesting journey I believe I shall never forget; 
and, oh ! may I cherish a grateful remembrance of 
the gentle dealings of my Lord and Master, who 
mercifully condescended to be u mouth and wisdom, 
tongue and utterance" to one of the most feeble and 
unworthy of His flock, if, indeed, it is not presuming 
to suppose that I belong to it at all. 

The first Sabbath day we spent at Baltimore, 
which place I entered with a heavy heart; and be- 
fore going to meeting an unusual weight of exercise 
so clothed and oppressed my spirit, that I found it 
difficult to converse with the dear, kind friends at 
whose house I was pleasantly sojourning. How I 
have suffered from this very cause ! and, oh ! how 
hard it is for poor, proud human nature to submit 
to be a " fool" — yea, to be " drunk with silence" — 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 2g 

when the Lord commands it, and even to withhold 
our peace from good ! 

E. P. G. to C. W. B., referring to visit to In- 
diana. 

Eighth mo. 22d, 1852. 

... I truly desire to have no will of my own 
about it, and that I may be enabled, cheerfully and 
thankfully, to acquiesce in the pointings and order- 
ings of Him who is perfect in wisdom, and who 
leadeth the blind by a way which they know not 
Dost thou remember those sweet little verses in 
" Thoughts of Peace" ?— 

" Lead, Saviour, lead ; amid the encircling gloom 

Lead Thou me on ! 
The night is dark, and I am far from home, 

Lead Thou me on ! 
Keep Thou my feet ! I do not ask to see 
The distant scene : one step's enough for me." 

They have been much before me lately, and I 
trust some capacity has been given to adopt them 
for my own. Oh, what an unspeakable favor to be 
led and guided by Israel's unslumbering Shepherd ! 
May this God be our God for ever and ever! May 
He be our guide even unto death ! 



230 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

To the Same. 

Richmond, Indiana, Ninth mo. 29th, 1852. 
. . . My heart was in great heaviness, and con- 
tinued so until after our large and solemn meeting 
on First day morning. This brought such a feeling 
of peace and relief into my mind, that I began to 
doubt whether I should have any weights left by 
the time I reached Indiana. However, I have since 
found that we have not yet come to that blessed rest 
and inheritance, where " the clouds return not after 
the rain." Sometimes, at home, they used quite to 
disappear for a little season, but never since I left 
your city, with a burden on my spirit such as I 
could not attempt to describe, has the lowering 
cloud ceased to hang about the horizon, though at 
times it decreases to the size of " a man's hand," and 
does not quite obscure all pleasant objects. I have 
indeed passed through a season of close proving and 
conflict since I saw thee, dear; but, oh! what -an un- 
speakable mercy to know the clouds to discharge 
themselves, one after another, and to witness the 
"clear shining after the rain," — to see a little glimpse 
of the light of the countenance of that blessed 
Master whose we are, and whom we desire to serve, 
and then to hear His gracious language, as if com- 
passionating our weakness and infirmities : " Let 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



231 



her alone, she hath done what she could." Surely 
this is recompense enough for any suffering we may 
have to bear. The meetings, both yesterday and 
to-day, are considered by Friends to have been times 
of favor, though the crowd this morning about the 
doors prevented stillness in the early part. James 
Jones and Lindley M. Hoag were engaged in tes- 
timony, Rebecca Collins and two other Friends 
in prayer. I had only to open the door for the 
former by a few sentences, for which, I think I may 
say, I felt truly thankful, as I was beginning to be 
almost frightened at hearing my own voice. Yet I 
trust I may never cast away my confidence, which 
has been so remarkably renewed and strengthened 
in this Western journey. 

So far, not one good thing has failed of all that the 
Lord promised us. Oh, if we may but see the way- 
marks plainly to the end ! Friends are all kindness. 
Many have invited us pressingly to their neighbor- 
hoods; but I did not see anything beyond this Yearly 
Meeting when I came out, and hope we may be able 
to leave pretty directly after the meeting closes. 

E. P. G. to C. W. B. 

Tenth mo. 16th, 1852. 

. . . Thou mayst have heard already that I am 
actually safe and sound in my own dear home. 



232 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



Never did it look so bright and peaceful as it does 
this day, and oh ! that my gratitude to the bounte- 
ous Giver may bear some proportion to His mer- 
cies, which are truly manifold. Tell thy dear uncle, 
Thomas Evans, that his cordial welcome met me, 
with many others, and was very cheering. The 
words he quoted had been much with me on my 
journey home : " Return unto thy rest, O my soul ! 
for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." 

E. P. G. to Edward Pease. 

West Hill, First mo. 18th, 1853. 
. . . Certainly the Friends who compose the little 
Burlington circle are among the " finest of the 
wheat" in America, and I cannot be too thankful to 
my heavenly Father that the lines have fallen unto 
me in such pleasant places. The meeting is pre- 
served in precious unity, and the two aged veterans 
who sit at the head of it,* being " delivered from 
the noise of the archers," continue to " rehearse the 
righteous acts of the Lord in the places of drawing 
water." They are both remarkably bright at the 
present time, and are frequently engaged in the 
occupancy of their ministerial gifts, to the comfort 
and edification of the Church. Dear Richard Mott 

* Stephen Grellet and Richard Mott. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 233 

generally attends our little reading meetings, of 
which he may be considered the dignified head, 
being now in his eighty-eighth year. Yet I think 
I must also acknowledge that He who is Head over 
all things to His Church has sometimes been pleased 
to favor us with His life-giving presence, especially 
in the seasons of retirement at the close, uniting and 
contriting our spirits, and giving us to feel that our 
fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, and 
one with another in Him. This was remarkably the 
case last evening, when dear Richard Mott addressed 
us very strikingly in reference to the founder of 
our Society, whose " Life" (by Marsh) we are now 
engaged in reading. He said his feelings had been 
affected by the account we had just heard of the 
sufferings of our worthy predecessors; and while 
reflecting on the privileges these very sufferings had 
purchased for us, he had earnestly desired we might 
bring the subject closely home, that we might feel 
humbled under a sense of it, and be afresh stimu- 
lated to entire faithfulness, to unreserved dedication 
of all that we have and all that we are to the 
Master's service. He told us he had been forcibly 
impressed with the greatness of the character of this 
remarkable man; that there was no fanaticism about 
it : he was earnest for the truth, and willing to sacri- 
fice all in the promotion of it. It was true he some- 

20* 



234 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

times used expressions which were common in that 
day, but not so familiar to the gentle ears of modern 
times, yet he was a true gentleman, quoting in 
proof of this some parts of William Penn's descrip- 
tion of him. But I cannot at all do justice to his 
beautiful testimony, though I did rejoice in it, on 
account of the many interesting young people who 
were assembled with us. We sometimes number 
fifty-seven or fifty-eight. At first we occupied our- 
selves with needle-work. But I proposed, a few 
weeks ago, that we should knit for the poor, and it 
is pleasant to see with what spirit they have taken 
it up. The interest thou expressed about our little 
social gatherings last winter was very grateful to 
us. . . . 

I have often thought that few things are more 
helpful to a feeble, inexperienced Christian traveller 
than passing words of cheer from aged pilgrims, 
who, having stood as waymarks on the heavenward 
journey, fought the good fight and kept the faith, 
are finishing their course with joy, the Spirit bearing 
witness with their spirits that an eternal crown of 
glory is laid up for them in the world to come. 
This, I rejoicingly believe, is thy experience, my 
dear and honored friend, under a solemnizing con- 
sciousness that, in the natural course of things, " the 
time of thy departure is at hand." But, although I 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 235 

am sensible that to depart and be with Christ would 
be " far better" for thee, yet thy continuance in the 
flesh does seem to be so needful for us and for the 
Church, I have some confidence thou wilt abide 
with us all a little longer, for our furtherance in the 
gospel and rejoicing in the faith. 

I spent last evening at dear Stephen Grellet's, in 
company with my sisters, and just before we left we 
had a very precious opportunity, in which he seemed 
to have a little glimpse of those eternal realities and 
unrevealed joys with which the sufferings of this 
present time are not worthy to be compared. The 
spirits of the just made perfect seemed to be hover- 
ing around us, and the dear old apostle spoke as if 
really partaking with them of that river of pleasure 
which flows at God's right hand for evermore. His 
words of living ministry brought tears from eyes that 
are not used to weeping. 

J. Hodgkin to E. P. G. 

Second mo. 4th, 1853. 

... I was much interested in sharing, whilst 
with dear Jane, thy comforting report of thy jour- 
ney to Indiana ; and it is truly satisfactory to hear 
confirmatory evidence through other channels of the 
character of that visit. May it encourage thee still 
to trust and not be afraid ; and if Paul's experience 



236 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



has been therein confirming thee in the truth and 
applicability of the prediction in the eighteenth 
verse of the last chapter of Mark, let it prepare 
thee to expect a call to further service, somewhat 
after this sort : " As thou hast testified of me at 
Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." 
I apply not either locality, but an analogous en- 
largement and diversity of service I believe awaits 
thee. 

. . . William Forster, the elder (the father of the 
present), told me that, when he was a boy, he used 
to like to find out the very oldest persons who were 
then living, thinking that he ought to lose no time 
in the search of such, for every year lessened his 
chance of collecting traditional knowledge. When 
at Hertford, at the age of fifteen, he fell in with a 
very aged woman-Friend who knew William Penn 
intimately. She was so fond of him that she told 
W. F. she would not have married if he would not 
have come to the wedding. She described in very 
glowing terms his fervor of spirit, and how, under 
the constraining love of Christ, his gospel ministry 
literally overflowed. She has seen him come into 
a meeting already gathered, pull off his hat as he 
walked up the aisle, commence preaching, and, when 
he reached the place where he usually sat, remain 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



237 



standing, and continue his discourse almost to the 
end of the meeting. 

I believe it is a great mistake to attribute quietism 
to our early Friends. That was a parasitical plant 
which grew at a much later period upon the old 
Quaker stock, under the influence of Guyon, 
Fenelon, and Law. They (the early Friends) most 
soundly maintained that words without life were of 
no avail ; that if any man ministered, he must do it 
of the ability that God giveth. But they believed 
that that ability would be given ; they asked, and had 
it ; they stirred up the gift that was in them ; their 
sense of the high vocation wherewith they were 
called prevented their lying flat on their faces, as 
Joshua did before Ai. At the bidding of the Lord 
they rose up, and led on their forces into the land 
of promise. I have a very strong persuasion that 
we, as a people, are weak, not only because of the 
spirit of the world, but because we think we are 
weak, because we are a discouraged people ; and 
that which is true of us as a whole is not less true in 
Norfolk than in other parts. " Arise and build, for 
the joy of the Lord is still your strength." 

In 1853 E. P. Gurney attended the Yearly Meet- 
ing of New England, held at Newport, where she 
was most kindly greeted. Jane G. Fox, daughter 



238 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

of H. C. Backhouse, writes, in relation to this 
visit, — 

... I cannot tell thee how truly I enjoyed the 
narrative of thy visit to New England, and thy going 
over the field traversed before in company with our 
precious mother, thus fulfilling the prophecies that 
went before on thee. Well, in this line only will, I 
believe, be thy peace on earth, and in it thy com- 
munion with beloved ones in heaven. 

The deep interest which Friends in, England had 
long taken on the subject of negro slavery led them, 
at the Yearly Meeting in 1853, to prepare an ad- 
dress to the President, and others in authority in the 
United States, relative to its suppression. Wil- 
liam and Josiah Forster, John Candler and William 
Holmes were chosen to be the bearers of the docu- 
ment. William Forster also had a minute for some 
religious service by the way. Soon after their ar- 
rival they spent a short time at West Hill for 
needed rest, proceeding thence to Washington and 
the Western and Southern States in the prosecution 
of their beneficent errand. While in Tennessee, 
William Forster was prostrated by illness, and after 
a few days of great suffering and weakness, to use 
his brother's words, he " breathed out his soul unto 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



239 



God." His remains were laid in Friends' burying- 
ground at Friendsville (Tennessee). Interesting de- 
tails of the progress of the delegation in their 
mission and of the solemn close of W. Forster's 
devoted life will be found in the memoir edited by 
Benjamin Seebohm. 

While at St. Louis, W. Forster had written to 
E. P. Gurney, — 

Eleventh mo. 23d, 1853. 

... I owe thee so much, my dear friend, for all 
thy hospitality and kindness and sisterly love so 
bountifully and liberally heaped upon me from one 
time to another. It does a little pain me to think 
how inadequate all expression is to convey the grati- 
tude that I desire to feel, and do sometimes, toward 
thee, dear Eliza, and toward Him who has given thee 
such an understanding of me, and has often made 
thee a help and comfort to me in my low estate. 
Thou hast made West Hill so much of a home, — 
such an one as I do not expect or desire to find until 
I get back again once more, I trust, to my own dear 
home, — thou must bear with me when I say that I 
love to think of returning to you again, and some- 
times long for it. You are all in my remembrance 
with love and thankfulness, — thy sisters and dear 
Harriet ; she was so sweet and tender, almost like a 



240 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



child of my own. I cannot, and would not wish to, 
forget it. . . . Considering my many infirmities and 
my great feebleness, it is very possible that I may 
be excused from going to some of those very re- 
mote districts to which my mind is often most 
strongly drawn. 

From E. P. Gurney's private memoranda we take 
the following outline of an interesting occasion at 
Baltimore : 

Second mo. 14th, 1854. 

For my own satisfaction in days to come, I must 
preserve some record of the very solemn day we 
spent at Baltimore, just two weeks after the re- 
mains of that devoted servant of the Lord, William 
Forster, had been committed to the silent grave. It 
was the first Friends' meeting the sad and contracted 
little band had attended since their bereavement, 
and I believe it seemed to many besides myself like 
the " burial day." A heavy burthen had oppressed 
my spirit ever since hearing the affecting tidings, but 
I was mercifully helped to throw it off on that most 
solemn, sorrowful occasion. After the meeting had 
been gathered about half an hour, I felt constrained 
to rise with the words, u Forever with the Lord ! 
Gathered to the just of all generations; washed 
and made white in the blood of the Lamb." How 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



24I 



precious are considerations such as these when loved 
and honored ones are taken from us, who have stood 
as firm and upright pillars in the Church, who have 
counted not their lives dear unto themselves, that 
they might finish their course with joy, and the 
ministry which they had received of the Lord Jesus, 
to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And 
though to our shortsightedness the dispensation 
may appear to have been mysterious, the mission 
unfulfilled, yet, my beloved friends, we must ever 
remember that one day is with the Lord as a thou- 
sand years, and a thousand years as one day. And 
whenever He may see meet, in His infinite and un- 
searchable wisdom, to say to His dedicated servants, 
"It is enough," whether it be in the morning, at mid- 
day, or in the evening, his work is done. And may 
we not reverently believe that when, in tender love 
and mercy, the work is thus cut short in righteous- 
ness, the compassionate Shepherd of Israel does 
sometimes whisper to the departing spirit, even in 
the solemn stillness of the bed of death, "It was well 
that it was in thine heart : depart in peace, thy faith 
hath saved thee" ? Then let us not be too much 
dismayed or cast dow r n, as though some strange 
thing had happened unto us, but let us put on fresh 
strength in the name of the Lord. Is not the need 
increased ? Let us press forward with redoubled 



21 



242 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

diligence, not only to make our calling and election 
sure, but also that we may do our part in hastening 
the coming of that glorious day when the knowl- 
edge of God and of his Christ shall cover the earth as 
the waters cover the sea. I have remembered, for my 
own instruction, — and it maybe that it is designed for 
the instruction of others, — that it is recorded in the 
volume of divine inspiration : " The people served 
the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of 
the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen the 
mighty works and wonders of the Lord ;" but after 
a time all that generation were gathered to their 
fathers, and another generation arose " which knew 
not the Lord, nor yet the mighty deeds that He had 
done for Israel." 

Oh, that this may never be said of us, is the ear- 
nest breathing of my spirit ; but may the mantle of 
Elijah descend upon the Elishas of the present day, 
that by a thorough surrender of the heart to the cru- 
cifying power of the cross of Christ there may be a 
succession of standard-bearers and testimony-bearers 
raised up from among this people, to whom the 
Great Head of the Church did indeed, in former 
days, commit a noble banner, that it might be dis- 
played because of His own blessed Truth. Oh, 
then, my beloved friends, though it may indeed be 
said on the present solemn occasion that the Church 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 243 

mourns, that we are brought low under the chasten- 
ing hand of our God, let us take heed that we be not 
slothful, but followers of them who, we do reverently 
believe, are now, even at this very moment, through 
faith and patience, inheriting the promises. 

" And though a Paul has run his course, 

Or an Apollos dies, 
Is Israel left without resource, 

And are there no supplies ? 
Yes; while the dear Redeemer lives 

We have a boundless store, 
And shall be fed with what He gives 

Who lives for evermore." 

Then may we not all join, as with one heart and 
one accord, in the prayer of His disciples formerly, 
" Lord, evermore give us this bread" ? — even this 
heavenly bread, bread which alone can satisfy the 
hunger of the immortal spirit and nourish it up unto 
eternal life. Thus being strengthened to fill up the 
ranks in righteousness, having served our generation 
according to the will of God, we also may be gath- 
ered, through the riches of atoning love and mercy, 
to that glorious company of ransomed ones who are 
already come unto Mount Zion and unto the City of 
the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an 
innumerable company of angels, to the general as- 
sembly and church of the first-born, whose names 



244 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, 
and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to 
Jesus, the Mediator of the new Covenant. Oh, the 
blessedness of such a change as this ! gathered by a 
hand of infinite mercy from a state of conflict and 
mourning to one of love and joy and peace, — trans- 
lated, as it were, from death and darkness into the 
glorious light and liberty of the children of God. 

" These hunger no more, neither thirst any more, 
neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat, for 
the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne doth 
feed them and lead them to fountains of living 
waters, and God Himself — blessed be His holy name 
forever ! — hath wiped away all tears from every eye." 

William Edward Forster to E. P. G., after his 
Father's death in America. 

Second mo. 23d, 1854. 

My very dear Friend, — There is little I can bear 
to write, but I do not like the American post to go 
without a letter to thee. . . . Thy being on his side 
of the Atlantic has been through all a great comfort 
to me; though thou couldst not get him under thy 
roof, where* he would have been so tenderly cared 
for, yet I am sure the feeling that he might get to 
thee was a comfort and alleviation of absence to him. 
Do, pray, let our most kind friend, Dr. Taylor, know 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 245 

how deeply grateful my mother and myself feel for 
his kindness in undertaking so long and tiresome a 
journey on my dearest father's account. . . . He 
has been allowed to fall a martyr to his devotion to 
that great and holy cause of the abolition of negro 
slavery, in the earnest, untiring advocacy of which so 
large a portion of his life has from time to time been 
spent; and I cannot but believe that his thus dying 
in one of your Slave States will encourage American 
Friends more and more to devote themselves to this 
cause in a like spirit. 

In Seventh mo., 1855, her continued affectionate 
interest in her many English friends, and the belief 
that she was called to some further religious service 
in Europe, induced E. P. Gurney once more to cross 
the Atlantic, accompanied by her niece, Harriet H. 
Kirkbride, who was afterward married to Theodore 
Fox, and settled in England. 

E. P. G.'s notes of the voyage are of interest : 

On board the "Baltic," eighteen hundred miles 
from New York, Seventh mo. 17th, 1855. — This 
is our seventh day at sea, my beloved sisters, and 
I have nothing but mercies to record, rich and un- 
merited mercies, since that last memorable morn- 
ing when, with a heavy heart yet quiet spirit, I 

21* 



246 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

bade farewell to dear-loved relatives and friends and 
fatherland, — whether for longer or shorter time is 
known only to Him who appoints the bounds of our 
habitation and doeth all things well. Oh, were it 
not for this blessed assurance, which for the last 
thirty years has been an abiding one with me, I 
know not how I should have borne the manifold 
uprootings that are meted out to me. For a little 
season I am permitted, through the tender mercy of 
my heavenly Father, to encamp with those I love 
beneath the shadowing palm-trees and by the wells 
of water long desired ; but no sooner is my spirit 
cheered and comforted than I am called to pull up 
stakes, remove my tent, and journey on again. Yet 
so far I have seen the need be for every uprooting, 
and I desire to hold" fast my confidence firm unto 
the end. Perhaps my faith never was more closely 
tried than in this last strange step, it seemed so 
perfectly unnatural to turn my back on my delightful 
home and loved and loving friends and venture 
once again upon this treacherous ocean, not knowing 
why or wherefore. But " Have not I commanded 
thee ?" is an appeal which ought to answer every 
doubt and silence every fear, and I may thankfully 
acknowledge its power to do so. 

After the last long look at the dear ones who 
so kindly accompanied us to the steamer, we got 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 /tf 

comfortably ensconced under our umbrella, and were 
soon joined by the lady to whom we had been intro- 
duced at the pier. She at once interested us greatly, 
not only by the exceeding gentleness and refinement 
of her manners, but by the striking renunciation of 
self which is apparent in every movement. She is 
a perfect Florence Nightingale to the ship, visiting 
daily all the sick and wounded, and ministering to 
their necessities with a grace and tenderness I have 
rarely seen excelled. To me her constant kind and 
sisterly attention is beyond all price, and I hope 
when we get to England I may have an opportunity 
to return it. I felt quite free from sickness, had a 
most peaceful, comfortable night, and woke refreshed 
next morning. This seemed to be in mercy granted 
me. . . . 

20th. — What may await us in England we little 
know, or whether any home is provided for us. But 
I have remembered with comfort the beautiful Scrip- 
ture promise quoted by dear R. Shober, in the first 
meeting I attended after my return to my native 
land, which, I may confess with heartfelt thankful- 
ness, has been remarkably fulfilled in my experience: 
" I will be to them a little sanctuary in all places 
whither they may come." 

Never has my dear and faithful Saviour allowed 
me to feel homeless, a " stranger and foreigner" on 



248 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 






His earth, since the day that I entered into covenant 
with Him that if He would lead me in the way that 
I should go, I w r ould serve Him. Oh, that in His 
tender love and mercy He would graciously enable 
me to fulfil my part of the covenant, cost me what it 
may ! In taking a retrospective view of the years 
spent in America, although blushing and confusion 
of face might well be my portion in remembrance of 
my manifold shortcomings and infirmities, yet I am 
bound to acknowledge gratefully that, through the 
infinite compassion of a pitying Saviour, I have felt 
no condemnation, being able in sincerity of soul to 
make the appeal, " Thou knowest I have desired to 
do Thy will." 

2 1 st. — The Irish coast in view, and Captain Corn- 
stock hopes to be in Liverpool early to-morrow 
morning. The sea just like a mirror. Every one 
well on board. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, and 
forget not all His benefits ! 

Ham House, 24th. — When I was about closing 
my sea notes all seemed fair and promising. In a 
very short time, however, a dense fog gathered round 
us, and we knew by the constant ringing of the bell 
and the whistle, which they only use in time of dan- 
ger, that the captain was beginning to be anxious. 
He soon had a barrier placed on the deck, that no 
one should approach the place where he was stand- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 249 

ing, and commanded that no voice should be heard 
but his own. In a few minutes we were sensible of 
a jar, and after waiting a little in breathless suspense 
were told that a large ship had run so near us as to 
graze the steamer, but passed on unhurt. We knew 
that the peril was great, though all were profoundly- 
silent. Directly came another heavier jar, and word 
was quickly sent into the cabin that we had sunk a 
schooner which had run against us, and that a boat 
had put off to save the crew if possible. Judge what 
our feelings were at such a moment! In about half 
an hour they returned, bringing nine men and one 
poor frightened girl of thirteen years of age, — the 
whole ship's company. It. appeared they thought it 
not unlikely they might be run down, and had got 
into their boat just as the vessel struck. It was an 
awful night ; almost the whole ship's company were 
up till three or four o'clock, the dismal bell and 
whistle still informing us the danger was not over. 
Soon after this, however, the fog cleared away, and a 
lovely morning succeeded. The captain said if the 
largest ship had struck our steamer instead of only 
grazing it, it would undoubtedly have sunk both ves- 
sels. May we be enabled to praise the Lord for His 
goodness ! Not very long after the pilot met us we 
saw a little boat hovering around us, and presently 
descried my noble brother, Samuel Gurney, Sarah, 



250 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Richenda Barclay, and young Edward Buxton, who 
had most kindly come the day before to Birkenhead 
to meet us and conduct us to Ham House, where we 
are now most peacefully and comfortably settled. 

I have not said how truly affecting it was to me to 
see the pale and altered countenance of my much- 
loved brother ; but he has the same sweet, gentle, 
loving spirit, and it is delightful to be with him 
again, even at this changed home, where a void is 
deeply felt at every moment. John Henry met us 
at the station, looking as beaming and sweet as pos- 
sible. Nothing could possibly exceed the cordial 
welcome we receive on every hand, and, what is best 
of all, the peace of my own mind has been unbroken. 

Shortly after their arrival, E. P. Gurney established 
herself at Earlham Road, the former residence of her 
lamented friend, William Forster, near Norwich, 
where she remained nearly three years, resuming her 
former habits of familiar intercourse with the remain- 
ing members of the delightful circle in which she 
had so long moved, now rapidly narrowing with the 
lapse of time. Having a certificate of removal from 
her friends at home, she became again a member of 
Norwich Monthly Meeting. The death of the ven- 
erable Stephen Grellet occurred soon after E. P. G. 
left America, of which she writes : 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



251 



E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Earlham Road, Twelfth mo. 4th, 1855. 

My dearest Sister, — Can it be that that dear 
aged pilgrim is gone, to be seen of men no more? 
Having heard from time to time such sorrowful ac- 
counts of his physical sufferings, my first feeling on 
receiving the tidings of his blessed translation were 
those of rejoicing, as I dwelt on the words of the 
Psalmist: "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, 
and delivereth him out of all his troubles." But the 
more I reflect upon it, the wider and deeper seems the 
void which the departure of this saint has made, not 
only in his own beloved and stricken family, not only 
in our section of the Christian Church, of which he 
was so bright an ornament, but in the Church at 
large. It may seem strange to speak thus of one 
whose services of latter time have been so much con- 
fined to his own neighborhood; but who can esti- 
mate the loss of the prayers of one such deeply-exer- 
cised spirit as his, poured forth, as they often were, 
both in public and private, for the universal Church 
and for the world ? Surely they have come up in 
sweet memorial before the Throne. And then, how 
teaching was his patient spirit ! to say nothing of his 
powerful evangelical ministry, which seems only to 
have ceased with his latest breath. Few of the 



2j 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Lord's dedicated messengers have been more gener- 
ally known or more truly honored. Dear, dear old 
prophet, — for such he surely was, — when shall we 
look upon his like again ? I loved him sincerely 
for his abundant kindness and unfailing sympathy, 
but most of all " for the grace of God that .was in 
him." Truly it may be said of him, " He was a man 
full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." Have we not 
seen his face shine with the oil of the kingdom 
when, pressed in spirit, he has powerfully declared 
unto us the whole counsel of God? Surely "the 
signs of an apostle were wrought among us, in all 
patience and wonders and mighty deeds." And few 
had more marks of apostleship in weariness and 
painfulness, in watchings often, in perils in the city, 
in perils in the wilderness, in perils by the heathen, 
in perils in the sea, and, worst of all and hardest to 
endure, in perils by false brethren at home. Dear 
patient saint ! My heart aches under a sense of his 
sufferings, and yet through all how heaven-bound 
he seemed, and how beautifully did his straightfor- 
ward and still brightening path proclaim the lan- 
guage, " None of these things move me, neither 
count I my life dear unto myself, that I may finish 
my course with joy, and the ministry which I have 
received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of 
the grace of God." And now that ministry is fin- 



ELIZA P. GUENEY. 



253 



ished, and that course is run. He has " warred a 
good warfare," and is, we reverently believe, through 
the atoning mercy of his risen Saviour, " made more 
than conqueror over death, hell, and the grave." As 
to the beloved, bereaved, devoted wife and daughter, 
I feel as if I hardly knew how to mention them. . . . 
May " the Lord hear them in this day of trouble, the 
name of the God of Jacob defend them, send them 
help from His sanctuary, and strengthen them out of 
Zion !" 

E. P. G. to William J. and R. W. Allinson. 

Earlham Road, Twelfth mo. 13th, 1855. 
. . . By a living faith in the only Saviour, and a 
thorough surrender of the heart to the baptizing 
power of the Holy Spirit, this dedicated servant of 
the Lord Jesus (S. Grellet) may surely be said to 
have attained to his measure of the stature of the 
fulness of Christ, yea, to the perfect man in Christ 
Jesus ; and whatever may have been the estimate of 
his character made by some of his mistaken fellow- 
believers, we, who have fully known his " doctrine, 
manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, pa- 
tience, charity," rejoice in the conviction that the 
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, 
" The Lord knoweth them that are His," that He 

giveth unto them eternal life, and that no man shall 

22 



254 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

ever be able to pluck them out of His hand. How 
tenderly I have felt for the beloved bereaved ones I 
cannot say, but they will be cared for, they will be 
comforted. " A Father to the fatherless and a Judge 
of the widow is God in His holy habitation." I 
have also truly felt for the little band of worshippers, 
who shall behold his heaven-illumined countenance 
no more. But may we not believe that though ab- 
sent in the body he will be present in spirit, "joying 
and beholding your order and the steadfastness of 
your faith in Christ." It has been grateful as well 
as touching to my feelings to have been made, as it 
were, a centre of sympathy on this affecting occasion. 
How often have I thought of the words in Ecclesi- 
astes, I think, in reference to him since hearing that 
he was gone to be with Jesus : " Fools counted his 
life madness, but he is in peace." 

E. P. G. to her Sisters, J. K. Clarke and M. A. 
Williams. 

Earlham Road, Eighth mo. 19th, 1856. 
I was intending to write you by the next steamer 
before we received the affecting intelligence of the 
decease of our dear and honored friend, Richard 
Mott. At such an advanced age there is no feeling 
of surprise, yet it is impossible there should not be 
one of sadness in the reflection that the place which 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 $5 

has known these aged worthies, who are dropping 
off one by one, shall know them no more. How 
changed will dear old Burlington appear without 
those truly dignified and venerated champions for 
the truth ! (Referring also to Stephen Grellet.) I 
used often to look at them at the head of the gallery, 
and wonder where two other such men could be 
found, taking their age and dedication into account. 
But they have served their generation according to 
the will of God, and now, as we reverentlybelieve, 
are gathered to the general assembly and church of 
the first-born, where all is love and unity and peace 
and joy. How well do I remember, when I bade 
farewell to those aged pilgrims, the one at his own 
door and the other at the railway station, both pro- 
nounced a blessing upon me : " The Lord be with 
thee !" " The Lord bless thee !" Blessed and joyous, 
as I humbly but confidingly believe, will be the re- 
assembling of the faithful round the throne of God. 
May we, my dearest sisters, be of the happy num- 
ber ! Then, though our earthly lots be far asunder, 
we shall at last, through boundless love and mercy, 
be reunited where they part no more. 



256 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



CHAPTER V. 

In the latter part of 1856, E. P. Gurney made a 
visit, in the love of the gospel, to Friends and others 
in the south of France and Northern Italy, the scene 
of her 'labors when travelling with her husband in 
former years. Her helpful and congenial com- 
panions were Robert Alsop and his wife, the latter 
(formerly Christine Majolier) being a native of Con- 
genies, in France, with whom E. P. G. had formed a 
close friendship during her previous visit. 

The following letters afford pleasant glimpses of 
their progress, and of some interesting interviews 
in the course of the tour : 

E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Ninth mo. 16th, 1856. 
. . . My heart is somewhat lightened of its heavy 
burthen since our Monthly Meeting, and I feel more 
capacity to share in the trials of others. The fullest 
unity was expressed with my somewhat formidable 
prospect, and much sympathy manifested in the 
tearful eyes of some of our honest-hearted Norfolk 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



257 



friends. I think it will be a comfort to you to find 
that Robert and Christine Alsop are prepared to ac- 
company me, and I quite believe, on many accounts, 
I could not have more agreeable or suitable com- 
panions. Christine says, in a note I had from her 
a few days ago, she is sure I could not find any 
who love me more, or who would be more desirous 
to do all they could to promote my comfort in every 
way. This I entirely believe, having proved them in 
my visit to Ireland. So I hope, my beloved sister, 
you will have no uneasiness about me. I trust I am 
going on the Lord's errand, and to His gracious care 
and keeping you must commit me, in a little grain 
of faith that this sacrifice will be among the " all 
things" which shall work together for good to your 
poor pilgrim sister, who sometimes does feel her- 
self to be a stranger and sojourner on the earth, 
but seeking, as I trust, a better country, even an 
heavenly. 

E. P. G. to Eliza Barclay. 

La Tour, Tenth mo. 18th, 1856. 
In return for thy great kindness I think thou art 
fairly entitled to the first letter from the valleys of 
Piedmont, where everything we see and hear re- 
minds us of thee. We reached La Tour last even- 
ing, and were very kindly welcomed byAdele Revel, 

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258 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



who had been on the lookout for us for several days, 
as she understood we left England on the 7th. But 
I must go back and tell thee a little of our pre- 
vious history. Thou wilt probably have heard of us 
as far as Lyons, where we were detained three days, 
because there were no places in the diligence on 
Sixth and Seventh days, and we did not incline to 
travel on the Sabbath, especially in France, where 
this day of rest is so wholly disregarded. We had 
no cause, however, to regret the detention, as we 
had some very interesting intercourse, both social 
and religious, with some of the pious Protestants re- 
siding there. One of the ladies met me very warmly, 
and when she found I did not remember her the tears 
came into her eyes. " Do you not know me?" said she. 
" I translated for you fourteen years ago, when you 
were last at Lyons." When she told me her name, 
" Delamarre," I had some recollection of her, but I 
fear my memory is a very faithless one. On Second 
day we went to Chambery by diligence, and quite en- 
joyed it ; there obtained a carriage just large enough 
to pack us in with half our luggage, and on Fifth day 
we had a charming drive across Mont Cenis. The 
weather cold, but beautifully bright most of the time, 
with now and then a sprinkling of snow. I had 
rather dreaded this part of the journey, but the road 
is so fine and so well protected all fear was taken 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



259 



away, and we quite feasted on the splendid scenery. 
Feeling a little burthened, when I rose in the morn- 
ing, with the unknown future before me, my heart 
was comforted in remembering the declaration that 
" His faithfulness is like the great mountains," stead- 
fast, immovable. Then " what have His poor tremb- 
ling ones to fear?" Almost at the top of Mont Cenis 
we found a nice, bright family living in one of the 
most comfortless abodes I ever saw ; six daughters, 
with their delicately-turned Italian countenances, 
quite interested us. I gave one of them a New 
Testament, with which she seemed greatly delighted, 
saying she had only seen some portions of it when 
she was at school, but now she could read the whole. 
We have distributed many tracts and books for 
children, and almost invariably they have been 
gratefully received. 

Second day morning. 

I did not like to tell thee, my dearest E., under what 
a weight of discouragement I was writing the above, 
but now that the clouds are a little dispersed I must 
give thee some account of our arrival here. In the 
first place, the rain was pouring down in torrents, and 
we were taken to the old inn, which looked com- 
fortless enough, without either carpets or fire, for the 
weather was become very cold. Adele Revel soon 
came to welcome us ; but she only remained a few 



2 6o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

minutes, saying she would not interrupt us then, but 
would call the next day, and that, if we preferred 
doing so, we could then remove into the new house. 
So we settled in, and made things as comfortable as 
we could, but were glad to remove in the morning, 
though the rain continued to pour. By the aid of 
good fires and a few travelling-rugs we soon made 
this abode quite habitable, and were interested in 
finding a nice young Englishwoman in the upper 
rooms by the name of Gasparini. She had married 
an Italian when only fifteen years of age, and now 
had to support both him and their children by her 
needle and pencil. But I think you met with her at 
Nice last winter. We invited the Revels to tea, and 
found them very agreeable. I ventured to ask the 
" moderator" if he thought we could have a few of 
their friends at our hotel on First day evening, and, 
rather to our surprise, he responded very warmly, 
as we fancied they had previously shown some 
reserve on the subject. If the weather was fine, 
they said, our rooms would be more than filled. 
But all First day the rain continued to come down 
in torrents, and nothing could look more discour- 
aging ; however, more than thirty came, although 
the streets were quite impassable in various 
places, and many of the little bridges were swept 
away. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 6l 

Our congregation was of the better sort, and I 
think we are bound to acknowledge gratefully that, 
through the loving kindness and overshadowing 
presence of the Minister of ministers, we had a 
solemn assembly. Just at the close our friend Revel 
observed, with much feeling and emphasis, " We are 
told by the great apostle that Paul planteth and 
Apollos watereth, and God giveth the increase. A 
short time ago our brother, who is now with God, 
planted the good seed in our hearts ; and now our 
sister has been sent to water them. We have been 
cheered and encouraged by the labors of both. 
May a blessing from above rest upon them ! May 
the seed take root in our hearts, and may God give 
the increase !" He said a little more, which I can- 
not remember exactly, but his allusion to dear Wil- 
liam Forster was sweet and touching to me. When 
the meeting was over they were all as warm as pos- 
sible, Pastor Malan especially begging us to have a 
meeting in the school-house this evening, as, he said, 
many more than our rooms could contain w r ould be 
glad to attend. This, however, we thought best to 
decline, as we are likely to be with them some time 
longer; and it was well we did, for the rain continued 
without interruption, so that they fear the seed that 
has been sown on the mountains will be utterly 
washed away. 



2 62 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 






They all say it is well we came when we did, as 
now to cross Mont Cenis would be very difficult, 
the snow being very deep. One of the diligences 
was overturned by a whirlwind on the top of Mont 
Cenis, but no one was seriously hurt. 



E. P. G. to E. H. H. 

Perosa, Eleventh mo. 5th, 1856. 

I trust you are thinking of us for good, though we 
hear so little from you. Truly we need the prayers 
of those who are concerned for the prosperity of the 
Truth. No woman Friend has ever visited this place 
before in the character of a gospel minister ; but, as 
the moderator observed, " the people expressed no 
surprise, but appeared quite prepared to receive our 
gospel message as coming from the Lord." What a 
mercy it is, my dear friend, that when the blessed 
Shepherd sendeth forth even the weakest of the 
flock, He goeth before them to prepare the way. 
Robert and Christine are very kind and helpful, and 
we get on harmoniously together. In the first few 
meetings the vocal service devolved entirely upon 
me ; then Robert spoke a little at the conclusion, 
and afterward Christine came out, to my relief, for I 
had felt the weight of the meetings, as well as the 
preparatory baptisms, — which, I assure thee, have 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



263 



not been small, — rather heavy upon me. The last 
two or three evenings she has taken her full part. 

E. P. G. to Edward Pease. 

Genoa, Eleventh mo. 12th, 1856. 
Thou wilt have heard of our progress through the 
valleys of Piedmont, where we had ten large and 
relieving meetings, — eight in Luzerna and two in St. 
Martin. The roads to some of them were very dif- 
ficult, especially those to Angrogna and Bobin, in 
the former valley, and that to Ville-Seche, in the 
latter. I never saw such magnificent mountain 
scenery; but some of the great, huge precipices, to 
my unpractised eye, looked rather fearful. How I 
did think of poor dear William Forster, who, they all 
told us, suffered exceedingly with fear in traversing 
these rugged mountain-passes. But he has left a 
very sweet impression, and I believe his visit to the 
valleys opened the way for ours. They call him (as 
with one accord) " that holy man of God," and all 
their countenances brighten up whenever he is 
named. We met with the greatest kindness from 
all the pastors, especially from Revel, the moder- 
ator, who, when Christine was not quite well, pro- 
posed to go to Angrogna to interpret for me. This 
was rather remarkable, as he is a sort of bishop 
among them, and it was evident at first there was a 



264 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



little scruple in their minds against women's min- 
istry. However, as Adele Revel told me, it was only 
because it was a new thing, and she believed it was 
wholly done away. We became really attached to 
these warm-hearted people. Their simple piety and 
faith and zeal are very striking, and, I thought, in- 
structive also. I could but long that some of our 
transatlantic friends, who are wasting their lives in 
" contending for the faith," as they call it, might 
witness the single-hearted dedication of these moun- 
taineers ; for surely it may be said of some of the 
over-zealous ones, " Ye know not what spirit ye are 
of." 

When we got to Turin everything looked gloomy 
enough, and the prospect of a meeting as dull as 
possible. However, I felt that attraction to the place 
which would warrant our making some inquiry, and 
Robert and Christine went in the evening to call on 
Pastor Bert, who returned with them to our hotel, 
and seemed very kind, but was evidently frightened 
at the prospect, and wondering how it would be 
accomplished. The other pastor, Meille, to whom 
we had a letter from E. Barclay, had never noticed 
us in any way, so that strong faith and confidence 
were needed in order to carry us through. But 
these were not withheld by Him who has prom- 
ised He will not forsake his *poor depending chil- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 6$ 

dren ; and at the hour appointed we proceeded to 
the meeting-place, a nice large room, in which they 
hold their evening service, as they call it. It will 
contain three or four hundred persons, and was soon 
quite full. Here Pastor Meille was introduced to us, 
and we fancied he looked very cold. However, after 
a short but solemn silence, I was enabled thoroughly 
to relieve my mind to a most serious and attentive 
audience on the faith and the words of Abraham, 
" God will provide Himself a lamb ;" and soon after 
I sat down, Bert rose and thanked us warmly, on 
behalf of himself and the congregation, explaining 
who we were, and that it was in the love of the 
gospel of our Lord and Saviour we had come 
amongst them. Then Meille knelt down, and in a 
truly solemn, feeling manner commended us and 
our mission to the Lord, fervently praying that the 
word which had been spoken amongst them might 
be the means of stimulating them to greater dili- 
gence, that they might indeed be the children of 
faithful Abraham, not counting anything too dear to 
part with at the command of the Lord. I do not 
know when I have heard more earnest, fervent 
prayer, and the meeting broke up under a feeling of 
true solemnity. Bert returned home with us, and 
was as warm as possible ; and the next day, accord- 
ing to agreement, Meille called and took us to the 



2 66 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

different schools, in two of which he translated what 
was said into Italian in a most impressive manner. 
Christine said he seemed to be preaching himself, he 
spoke so earnestly. I forgot to say that, after the 
meeting on First day evening, we went to the Berts' 
to tea, and they all came to us the next evening. 
Charles Bunsen also came, and spent an hour with 
us very agreeably ; r and in the morning, when we 
reached the platform, we found our friends, the pas- 
tors, and an English lady by the name of Green- 
field waiting to see us off, — no one more cordial 
than the Pastor Meille, with whom in those two 
days we formed a real friendship. 

We have found large openings for books and 
money everywhere we have gone, and I have felt so 
much interest in many of their objects that I have 
been ready to wish my purse had no end. As to 
the fear that has been expressed that the Vaudois 
were in danger of being injured by kindness, I be- 
lieve there is no truth in it. Many of the poor 
mountaineers have scarcely the means of subsist- 
ence, especially since the failure of the vine. This 
year, however, the chestnuts have been abundant, 
which is a merciful provision for them ; and as to the 
pastors, they cannot be called hirelings, for they 
receive almost nothing for their truly laborious ser- 
vices, — going up the mountains in the depth of 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



267 



winter, and sometimes not returning until late at 
night, plodding home through the snow. I thought, 
though peace of mind might pay for such exertion, 
no money ever could, certainly not the pittance they 
receive. 

On Third day morning we left Turin and went on to 
Genoa, where I felt no inclination for a meeting, and 
my faith was confirmed on finding that there could 
have been no opening for one if I had, for the Prot- 
estant flock in that city is small and scattered, and 
understand only Italian. 

However, I did not feel at liberty to leave on 
Fourth day, though I could not tell why, but in the 
course of the morning Christine incidentally heard 
that the Duchess of Orleans was in the neighbor- 
hood, and as I had all along been under the impres- 
sion I should see her somewhere, though I had no 
idea where she was, I concluded to write her a line 
and ask for an interview the following day, when we 
found we should pass her door. Accordingly, at a 
quarter past eleven we were there, — an unreasonable 
hour, to be sure, but we were bound to a certain 
stopping-place, and could not help it. A German 
lady met us in the drawing-room, and told us she 
had written to appoint " one o'clock" for our call ; 
wished to know if we could not wait, as the Duchess 
was engaged with her drawing-master. I replied 



2 68 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

that I should be very sorry to disturb her, but that I 
believed we must be going on our way, and was 
about to leave a message, when she interrupted me, 
exclaiming, " Oh, but she says she must see you ; so 
if you cannot wait she will come down directly." In 
a very few minutes the sweet young creature ap- 
peared, looking extremely delicate, but gentle and 
lovely as ever. She led me to a seat on the sofa, and 
referred to our former interview with much interest 
and feeling; said she had read Sir Fowell Buxton's 
life, and wished to know whether I could not recom- 
mend her some more such religious biographies. 
After conversing pleasantly for a short time, I asked 
for a few minutes' silence, which she willingly as- 
sented to, and immediately informed the German 
lady of my request. I think I may truly say they 
were moments of fervent prayer that words might be 
given me suited to her need, and I trust they were 
not withheld, for as soon as I had ceased she seized 
my hand with affectionate earnestness, saying in 
broken English, " Oh, my dear friend, how shall I 
thank you for all your good words and all your 
great kindness to me ? Will you continue your 
prayers for me when we are far separated? for I 
do so much need them." She then inquired where 
we had been and where we were going, showing 
much interest about it, and saying, with great em- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



269 



phasis, " I so like the Friends." When I bade her 
farewell she said, " And when do you go to Eng- 
land ?" I told her I could not say exactly, but be- 
fore very long. " Then," she said, quickly, "you 
will go to Claremont? The Queen will be glad to 
see you, and now you can tell her all about us." I 
gave her some books, and we parted most affection- 
ately, she telling us that she believed a blessing 
would descend upon our mission. It was a truly in- 
teresting occasion, and one we shall not very soon 
forget. 

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh days were spent in trav- 
elling from Genoa to Mentone, where we are spend- 
ing a quiet, peaceful Sabbath-day. I feel it a mercy 
to be here, with carpeted floors, soft beds, and every 
comfort, having a feverish influenza cold, which 
needs a little nursing. The weather, however, is 
lovely, and I trust it will soon wear off. Our jour- 
ney by the Cornice road I will not attempt to de- 
scribe. It was fearfully grand and beautiful. In- 
deed, we have had a feast of exquisite scenery. I 
had no idea of our having such a treat. It is truly 
touching to be at this lovely spot, reminding me at 
every turn of that precious brother, whose place will 
know him no more. To-morrow we go on to Nice, 
which will be yet more reminding. 

How I wish you could share with me in the 

23* 



270 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



splendid scene that is just below my window, — the 
deep - blue Mediterranean glittering beneath the 
golden rays of the setting sun. We have been trav- 
elling beside it for the last three days. 



E. P. G. to Sarah Gurney, daughter of Samuel 
Gurney. 

Cannes, Eleventh mo. 25th, 1856. 
On Fourth day morning a strange concern came 
over me ; I felt it came in such a way I dare not 
turn from it. This was to ask for a religious inter- 
view with the Dowager Empress of Russia, who is 
spending the winter at Nice. Robert called upon 
the Baron Majendoof, and saw the Baroness, who 
took the note which I had written, and said she 
would show it to her husband, but seemed very 
doubtful about his handing it to the Empress. The 
next morning he called again by appointment and 
saw the Baron, but found the note had not been 
delivered. Indeed, the Baron thought it was quite 
impossible to trouble her with notes from any one. 
Her Imperial Majesty was very, very much engaged : 
she was expecting the High Priest every moment, 
and some of the royal family were to come to Nice 
in a day or two. Besides, he could not conceive 
what Madame Gurney could possibly want with the 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 271 

Empress : she was not a " Quaker." The Empress 
had her own religion, and Madame Gurney had hers, 
and it was not likely she could convert her. R. 
Alsop assured him that I had no wish to make a 
Quaker of her; that I merely offered the visit in 
a feeling of Christian interest; that all we asked 
was that the Empress might see the note, and 
then, if she did not wish to receive us, we should 
be quite satisfied. At last he permitted the note 
should be delivered, and we should have an answer 
about five o'clock that evening. But about half- 
past two a special messenger was sent from the 
Empress, with a note to me from the Baron, say- 
ing the Empress would see me next morning, — the 
hour would be indicated at a later period. In the 
evening we had a meeting at the chapel, which I 
felt to be a very important one, and the preparatory 
baptism was almost as much as I knew how to bear. 
There was a large congregation, and after a short 
but solemn silence I rose with the words, " And 
they shall come from the east and from the west, 
from the north and from the south, and shall sit 
down in the kingdom of God," which we afterward 
found was very applicable, as there were present 
Russians, Germans, French, Italians, Irish, English, 
Scotch, Dutch, Swiss, Vaudois, and Americans. I 
believe I may say the meeting was owned by the 



272 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Great Head of the Church. The people were as 
quiet and attentive as possible. This meeting was 
an inexpressible relief to me. Early the next morn- 
ing came a note from our friend the Baron, to say 
the Empress would receive us at half-past twelve. 
R. and C. Alsop went with me, intending to go in, 
if they were not forbidden. We were soon shown 
up into an ante-room, and in a few minutes a very 
tall and stately-looking lady stood before us. We 
could not doubt for a moment who she was, for her 
whole presence was that of an Empress. She in- 
stantly took my hand and led me into her private 
drawing-room, R. and C. following, but leaving the 
astonished attendants behind. 

Very soon she began speaking about our meeting 
the evening before, and said some of her people had 
attended. She spoke of my sister Fry, and of 
women's preaching, which she could not exactly 
understand ; but she said, " You can hardly remem- 
ber her, you are so very young." I assured her I 
was turned of fifty, at which she expressed great 
surprise, and told two of her ladies afterwards as a 
thing not to be believed. In the first place, she told 
us of her irreparable loss with much feeling. She 
said the Emperor was the noblest of men, and that 
she had not ceased to mourn for him day and night, — 
in fact, that she often prayed that her life might be 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 /3 

taken, she felt so desolate without him, — that they 
had not lived together as Emperor and Empress, but 
as husband and wife. She looked very pale and ill, 
and so full of feeling as truly to excite our sym- 
pathy ; but it was no easy matter to address her as 
a minister just after she had expressed her astonish- 
ment that women should ever be called upon to 
preach. In this critical moment my gracious Lord 
did not forsake me. Indeed, I believe if ever I was 
empowered to preach the gospel, it was on this in- 
teresting occasion. I soon perceived the Empress 
was in tears, and after I had addressed her for about 
two minutes or more, we sat together in solemn 
silence for a little time, when she came to me very 
kindly and kissed me on both cheeks, thanking me 
for the visit, and expressing a desire that a blessing 
might descend upon it, or, as I believe, she said that 
the words spoken might be blessed to her. She 
then inquired how long I had been a minister, 
whether we were engaged on a religious mission, 
etc., and was much interested in hearing about the 
Vaudois; accepted some books I offered, and was 
surprised to find that Christine was a Frenchwoman, 
as she spoke English so correctly. The Empress 
herself speaks quite fairly, and said she understood 
every word I said, because I spoke so " simply and 
so distinctly." 






274 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



On the whole we felt deeply interested in our 
visit, and my heart was filled with sympathy for the 
poor dear Empress. Suffice it to say that our visit 
to Nice was full of intense interest. 

E. P. G. to Josiah Forster. 

Congenies, Twelfth mo. 3d, 1856. 

. . . When we called to take leave, they were 
much interested in telling us about the conclusion 
of the meeting that we had at Nimes on First day 
evening. A friend of Christine's also called and 
gave us an account of it. It appears that after we 
came away the people still kept their seats, though 
one or two persons standing round the pulpit beck- 
oned them toward the door. For a little time they 
sat in profound silence; then the Methodist minister 
asked one of the Evangelical pastors if he had any- 
thing to say to them, on which he immediately 
commenced and recapitulated all I had said, com- 
mending it to their serious consideration, and ex- 
pressed an earnest desire that they might never 
forget the gospel truths that had been proclaimed 
amongst them. Then Jean Monod (a pastor whose 
praise seems to be in all their churches) offered up 
fervent prayer that a blessing might descend upon 
the word preached, and upon us and our gospel 
mission ; that we might be the means of winning 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



275 



many souls unto Christ, etc. They said it was 
really solemn and very interesting, because they 
did it so heartily, and they could not but wish we 
had been there. 

I had quite the feeling that the meeting was not 
over, and I cannot but believe that these dear people 
spoke from right authority. Perhaps our not being 
present would make what they said afterw T ard have 
even more effect. 



E. P. G. to Jane Fox. 

Congenies (Gard), Twelfth mo. 16th, 1856. 

I must go back to Robert's leaving us at Nimes 
on account of his mother's illness, of. which thou 
hast no doubt heard, It was rather trying to part 
w r ith him, but we were thankful to be in the midst of 
our friends when we heard the sad intelligence, and 
a day or two after he left we got a nice travelling 
carriage and came to this place, where we remained 
a week, attending meetings here and in the neigh- 
borhood, and on Third day, accompanied by a 
nephew of Christine's, we set off for St. Hippolite. 
I had asked this nephew to go with us, thinking it 
might be useful to him, as he appeared to be a really 
nice, intelligent young man, though neither he nor 
his father ever think of going to a place of worship 



276 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 






from one year's end to another, and yet I think they 
are nominally Friends. 

On Third day evening we reached St. Hippolite, 
and a tremendous plunge I had on our arrival there, 
as Christine told me, if I wished to have the meetings 
I had spoken of, she ought to write at once and have 
them all appointed ; then fancy me (my mind a 
perfect blank, and feeling just as if I might never 
be called upon to minister to any one) fixing to have 
three meetings, beside the one with Friends next 
morning at St. Hippolite ! 

Oh, how I thought of our dearest one saying 
" her soul was in a furnace" in seasons such as this ; 
for, though I thought the expression was a strong 
one then, I now quite comprehend it. I went into 
the room to Fanny (who is as kind as possible), and 
told her I believed I must go home, — I could not 
bear this burthen any longer. However, I had a 
peaceful night, and the meeting with the Friends 
in the morning was quite a refreshment. 

At Anduze we had a large meeting, — three or 
four hundred people I should think at least, — and 
to my own feelings it was one of the best we have 
held. When it was over we went up into the pas- 
tor's drawing-room, which was just above (for his 
chapel is in his own house), and, to our great sur- 
prise, it was full of people, they having gone up by 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 JJ 

another way. It seemed impossible to keep them 
from falling into silence, there was such a sweet and 
solemn covering over us, and presently the pastor 
came to me with an urgent request to have a meet- 
ing on the following morning. I told him we wished 
to leave at eleven o'clock, and as we had engaged to 
breakfast with him and his wife at ten, there would 
be no opportunity for it, beside which I had not 
thought of having a second meeting in that place. 
All this he communicated to them, but they said 
they would be very glad to come at nine o'clock, 
and seemed so earnest about it that, although it was 
truly in the cross, I felt I dare not turn away. We 
have several times been solicited to hold a second 
meeting, but I never before have thought it was 
required of me to yield to the request. When we 
arrived in the morning the pastor's room was full, 
and a sweet and solemn time we had together, 
after which we went to Lasalle, where a meeting 
was appointed for the evening at seven o'clock; but 
about half-past six the pastor (who is a very young 
man and a converted Catholic) dispatched his ser- 
vant to request we would come at once, for the 
chapel was quite full, and he did not know what to 
do with the people. When we reached his house 
he took us into a private room, and, with a look of 

much anxiety, wanted to know how we commenced 

24 



278 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

our meetings. On telling him " in silence," he 
seemed quite frightened, and said he was very much 
afraid his people would not understand it; for, al- 
though many of them were serious, and would come 
from a desire to be edified, yet there were others 
who would only come out of curiosity, and he could 
not answer for their behavior. Would it not be 
better to begin with a hymn ? etc. I told him I did 
not think that was necessary, that we had generally 
found there was a Power over us which could silence 
them without the intervention of man, and I believed 
we might trust it on the present occasion. 

Accordingly we walked into the chapel, and the 
moment we made our appearance, though the people 
were so much crowded that many were obliged to 
stand, they were all as quiet as possible, and the 
silence continued to be profound until we left the 
house. It was partly perhaps from awe and aston- 
ishment, there never having been a Friends' meeting 
in that place before, but I never witnessed a more 
serious or attentive assembly. The pastor, who has 
been instrumental of much good in the neighbor- 
hood, seemed thoroughly warmed up, and congratu- 
lated us on the successful issue of the undertaking, 
which he hoped might be blessed to the people. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 279 



E. P, G. to Josiah Forster. 

St. Etienne, First mo. 4th, 1857. 

On Second day we proceeded (via Nimes) to Va- 
lence, and on Third day morning we set off for Pia- 
loux, the residence of Bertrand Combe, which we 
found most difficult of access. It is more than twelve 
miles from Valence, and the roads are bad at best, 
but now, being filled with snow, we were compelled 
to leave the carriage and walk a long distance, 
though the weather was piercingly cold. However, 
a warm welcome awaited us, and we remained with 
that interesting family until Fifth day. On Fourth 
day afternoon, at my request, he collected his neigh- 
bors, amounting to fifty or sixty, and I do not re- 
member that I ever was more sensible of the over- 
shadowing wing of heavenly love than on that 
occasion. The next morning we had a very solemn 
and tendering opportunity with B. C.'s family, in 
which I believe we were every one of us brought to 
tears. The whole household seem devoted to the 
service of the Lord. Some one told us that every 
servant who came to live with them was sure to 
become serious before they left. 

On Fifth day morning we came on to Annonay by 
way of Valence, Bertrand Combe accompanying us, 
with man and horse to drag us through the snow, 



2 8o MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

for several miles. Poor Claude Ruel was overjoyed 
at seeing us, and on Sixth day we had some interest- 
ing communication with him and the two or three 
other individuals who unite with Friends. Truly 
simple and honest-hearted Christians we found them. 
Claude himself is no common man, remarkably 
shrewd and discerning, uniting the wisdom of the 
serpent with the harmlessness of the dove. In the 
evening we had a meeting with the " Dissidents," or 
dissenters from the National Church, held in their 
own little chapel. There were nearly two hundred 
present, and some of them sympathized in good de- 
gree with many of the views of Friends. After we 
had been sitting a little while in profound silence, 
one of the Darbyists arose and said he felt bound to 
testify against the ministry of women, referring the 
people to chapter and verse in the Bible to prove 
they were forbidden to speak. Having borne his 
testimony, which he did in no very Christian spirit, 
he walked out of the meeting, which remained as 
quiet as possible, being wholly unmoved by what he 
said. 

It was rather curious that at that very moment 
my mind was dwelling on the enmity of the carnally- 
minded Jews to the spiritual nature of the gospel 
dispensation : " How can this man give us His flesh 
to eat?" etc., and in connection with it the conver- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 %\ 

sation of our Lord with the woman at Jacob's well, 
her leaving her water-pot and going into the city to 
preach Christ, that many of the Samaritans believed 
on Him because of her word. Having understood 
very little that he said, I rose directly after he was 
gone and dwelt some time on the subject, as I after- 
wards found, to the surprise and satisfaction of some 
of the company, who were much annoyed by the 
attempt of the Darbyist to disturb and unsettle the 
meeting. I think, however, it will all be overruled 
for good, as there were several present who some- 
times attend the reunions, and the spirit which this 
man manifested may tend to open their eyes. I 
have seldom been at a more solemn meeting; per- 
haps the solemnity was increased by this singular 
circumstance, as no one appeared to sympathize 
with the zealous opposer. On Seventh day noon 
we came to St. Etienne, and this morning we have 
had a truly interesting meeting with the little flock 
of serious-minded people, who in great measure 
sympathize with Friends. It was indeed a season 
of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. There 
are about a dozen of them altogether, and we felt 
that to most, if not all, we could extend the right 
hand of fellowship and own them as brethren in the 
Lord. One young man in particular seems to be an 

" Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile," and 

24* 



2 82 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

strongly attached to our principles. There appears 
to have been no human instrumentality employed in 
gathering this little flock to the simplicity of the 
truth as it is in Jesus, but they have lately been 
reading some of our books with much interest. The 
essay on " Love to God" they spoke of as being very 
precious to them, and so did the flock at Annonay. 

To-morrow we are going to Lyons, where we may 
spend a day or two, from thence to Paris, and if we 
find we may leave Germany till warmer weather, we 
may be at home next week. 

E. P. G. to Katharine Backhouse. 

Paris, First mo. 13th, 1857. 
As soon as I arrived in Paris I felt I was in bonds 
and dare not move, though we were greatly longing 
to get on, and nothing opening at first made the 
detention still more trying to us. I felt it right, 
however, to invite some Christian friends to meet us 
here last evening, and a choice company we had, 
although a small, select one. I did not like to have 
the notice given publicly, and now I find there are a 
number, even in this hotel, who much regret they 
did not know of it. A gentleman named St. Hilaire, 
who is said to be one of the first men in France, a 
professor in the Sorbonne and a true evangelist, 
came with his amiable wife, and at the conclusion of 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



283 



the meeting, after we had been sitting in profound 
silence for some little time, he offered up a most 
solemn prayer, not only for a blessing on the even- 
ing, and that our thus coming together might be for 
the good of our immortal souls, but he prayed fer- 
vently that the Lord of the vineyard would bless the 
seed that had been sown in every field in which we 
had been laboring ; that He would bless the Society 
to which we belonged ; that His choicest blessings 
might descend upon us and upon every mission in 
which He might be pleased to employ us. It was 
very striking, coming from such a man, and. truly 
under the anointing. Directly afterward, and before 
we sat down, the Methodist or Wesleyan minister 
offered up fervent prayer, so that it was a truly 
solemn opportunity. At Lyons we had a much 
larger and very interesting meeting, — four or five 
pastors present, who seemed very cordial afterwards. 

Fourth day. 

We spent a very pleasant evening at the Coque- 
rels'. He is an uncommonly interesting man, but 
slightly tinctured with Unitarianism, which caused 
me to pass through some suffering, that ended 
in faithfully preaching the unsearchable riches of 
Christ: " Take heed to yourselves and to the flock," 
etc. And when, after sitting a short time in silence, he 
rose and, taking me by the hand, said, very earnestly, 



284 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



" Madame, we cannot thank you for what you have 
said," I confess I was a little frightened. He added, 
however, directly, " But I sincerely trust we shall 
profit by it. You have spoken truth in so much 
love and with such sincerity, we cannot help re- 
ceiving it, and may the Lord abundantly bless you, 
and bless your labors in His name !" I do not know 
when I have met with a person of a more lovely 
spirit. He is very popular here with a certain class, 
and all speak highly of him. 

The magnificent rooms we have here are a striking 
contrast to some we have occupied. I am afraid I 
like the luxuries of life too well. 

Adele Revel to E. P. G. 

La Tour, February 3d, 1857. 

Dear and precious Friend, — It was indeed a 
great delight to me yesterday to receive a letter from 
dear friend Josiah Forster, announcing your safe 
arrival in England. I have followed you with my 
thoughts ever since we parted, and I prayed God 
that He would keep you as the apple of His eye, 
and bring you safe home, doing His work as you 
went along. Oh, may you have been the means of 
drawing many to inquire about the salvation of their 
souls, and strengthening many who are still waver- 
ing between the world and Christ! not by might, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



285 



nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord. 
Yes, that earnest waiting to be made an instrument 
in His hands, ascribing all the glory to Him, is the 
way we can best glorify and serve Him. I hope it 
may be with many as it is with me: your visit has 
left a fragrance inexpressibly sweet. I feel that I am 
bound to you with a tie that will only tighten till we 
meet to part no more. It does me good to recall the 
sweet communions we held together, to dwell upon 
them, to wait in silence for the Spirit to seal them 
upon my heart. I know and feel that you continue 
to pray for me, that I may be kept steadfast in the 
faith. 

In the Seventh month, 1857, E. P. Gurney felt 
herself once more constrained to visit the Continent 
on a similar mission to that of the preceding year, 
Robert and Christine Alsop being again her efficient 
helpers. Their route this time lay through parts of 
Switzerland and Germany, 

While at Potsdam they became deeply interested 
in the case of a young man who had been long im- 
prisoned for his conscientious refusal to bear arms. 
Exerting themselves to obtain some relief for him, 
they were finally gratified by learning that he had 
been liberated through the representations they had 
been able to make to those in authority. 



2 86 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

A remarkable interview with the royal family of 
Prussia is thus described by E. P. G. : 



E. P. G. to J. H. Gurney and E. Barclay. 

Rehme, Seventh mo. 25th, 1857. 

I was scarcely able to be off the sofa till Fifth 
day, when, thinking we must really make a start, 
and yet not feeling at liberty to leave Potsdam with- 
out seeing the King, by the advice of our most kind 
doctor, we concluded to drive to Sans Souci about 
ten o'clock, ask for the Lord Chamberlain, and send 
in our cards. When we got to the palace door, 
we saw Count Keller standing on the terrace, and 
Robert went up to him at once; but he told him 
the King was fully occupied, and could not even be 
spoken to till two o'clock ; that they were not at 
liberty to send anything in after he had commenced 
with the business of the day. Robert asked him it 
there was any probability of our seeing him at two 
o'clock ; but he thought it very doubtful, as many of 
his family were about him ; and Robert returned to 
the carriage quite disheartened. I begged him to 
ask Count Keller to speak to me. He did so, and I 
saw, the moment he took me by the hand, his reso- 
lution was shaken. Perhaps my sad and pallid coun- 
tenance made him relent, perhaps some sense was 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 287 

given him that I was striving to obey the "King of 
kings/' At all events he took my card at once, and 
said he would soon ascertain whether His Majesty 
had really commenced his business; if not, he would 
send it in. Directly the coachman was beckoned to 
drive to the door ; the good, kind count was there 
to hand me out and offer me his arm into the ante- 
room, where we waited about five minutes, when the 
King appeared. He was most kind and cordial, ex- 
claiming, as he took my hand, "The prisoner is lib- 
erated, and he will go to England. " He then spoke 
warmly of my sister Fry and the dear party that 
accompanied her in 1841, then of my illness, how I 
liked his doctor, etc. " But I will call the Empress : 
she wishes to see you, and tells me you are an old 
friend of hers, — she saw you at Nice." While he was 
gone, the Chamberlain told us that it was in conse- 
quence of the Empress being with him my card was 
sent in. If she had not been there, he would of 
course have been engaged in business. If she had 
not been there, we should have missed the oppor- 
tunity of seeing her, and this I should greatly have 
regretted. Why was she with the King just at that 
moment when the poor Quakers stood before the 
door? "Whoso is wise and will observe these 
things, even they shall understand the loving kind- 
ness of the Lord/' Directly the large folding-doors 



2 88 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

were opened, and certainly the scene that presented 
was enough to dazzle our unpractised eyes. 

The King, the Queen, the Empress, the Grand 
Duke Michael, and a beautiful Princess of Baden, to 
whom he is betrothed, appeared before us. The 
Empress was splendidly attired in rich white silk 
with lilac flounces, which is, I have been told, the 
Russian mourning. Her tall, elegant, and graceful 
figure set off the enormous width of her hooped 
skirts. The Queen in blue and white; the King 
dressed like a private gentleman, except perhaps a 
little extra lacing on the collar. I think I hardly 
ever spent so much time in describing dress before, 
but really the picture before us was one long to be 
remembered. Two ladies in waiting, Count Keller, 
and the aide-de-camp filled up the group. The Em- 
press raised her hands on seeing me, exclaiming, 
" My dear friend !" and gave me both her cheeks to 
kiss very affectionately. Perhaps that is hardly the 
word, as she is remarkably stately and dignified, and 
not very warm in her manner by any means, yet to 
me she was truly kind, saying, " You must sit down ; 
you are too ill to stand." And seating me beside 
her on the sofa, she asked me many questions, — 
where we had been, how long I had been ill, etc., — 
saying she had just that moment heard we were at 
Potsdam. But my heart was too heavy to go on, so 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



289 



in my usual rather stupid way, which she did not 
appear to observe, I said, in great simplicity, " Will 
the Empress ask the King if we may sit in silence ?" 
not thinking of her leaving her seat. However, she 
jumped up directly and went to the other side of the 
room, where the King was, and in a moment he was 
looking about for a chair, for, as they always stand in 
the royal presence, there were only a very few in the 
room. All this I learned from Christine afterwards, 
as I was too much absorbed by my own feelings to 
observe what passed around me. 

We fell at once into a solemn silence, and I think 
I may truly say I was helped by my gracious Lord 
to declare His truth, being remarkably without any 
might or power of my own. With the Empress on 
one side, and the King on the other, I felt just as 
quiet and composed as I did in the cell of the pris- 
oner, and was enabled fully to relieve my mind, ad- 
dressing them for nearly half an hour, without inter- 
pretation of course, as they all speak English. A 
profound silence reigned whilst I was speaking, and 
for some minutes afterwards, and then the King 
seized my hand and said, with much emotion, " I 
thank you a thousand times for your good desires 
for me. May all the blessings you have asked for 
me come down upon your own head a hundredfold. 
God bless you ! God bless you !" We were now 

25 



290 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



standing, and the Empress put her arm round the 
King's neck and kissed him in the most affectionate 
and sisterly manner. It was a striking scene. She 
also evinced much feeling, and said to me, very 
kindly, " I am so glad to have met you again." The 
sweet Princess of Baden came up and kissed me 
warmly, and the Grand Duke shook hands with me 
in the kindest manner, and with great simplicity, re- 
minding me a little of Sir Edward Buxton, though 
not at all resembling him in person, being a well- 
bronzed Russian of the hardier sort. The Queen 
appeared to me the least impressible, but she is very 
open and good-tempered, apparently forgetting she 
is a Queen herself, and suffering others to forget it 
also. She spoke to me about my sister Fry, and 
said she " loved her dearly;" and Christine says she 
questioned her about our darling Anna, and seemed 
much interested in hearing of her precious boy, say- 
ing she well remembered her, and Bessie also. After 
spending about three-quarters of an hour with this 
singularly interesting party, we took our leave, the 
Empress again giving me her cheeks to kiss, and 
begging me to remember her in my prayers. Poor 
dear ! she looks less oppressed with grief than when 
I saw her before, but still she is, I am sure, a thor- 
ough mourner. Had I been well enough to see the 
King when I first proposed it, I should have missed 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 QI 

this interview with her, as she did not arrive at Pots- 
dam until two days afterwards, so that surely I may 
say with the apostle, l< In all things I am instructed." 
It is now the 27th of the month, and my letter is not 
yet off, and I find there are one or two things I 
omitted to tell thee. One is that when we came to 
settle with our kind physician he quite declined re- 
ceiving anything, but asked how to spell my name, 
and said he must make his report to the King ; so 
thou seest I was in fact a royal patient. However, 
of course, before we left the place we sent the kind 
doctor a present. I liked him very much, and can- 
not but believe he is a serious man. 

E. P. Gurney had long felt desirous of paying a 
visit of sympathy to the ex-Queen of the French, 
the widow of Louis Philippe, and her grandsons, at 
Claremont. This she was enabled to accomplish, in 
company with her friend John Hodgkin, in the 
Seventh month, 1858. The following is part of her 
description of this occasion : 

E. P. G. to Lady Buxton. 

Seventh mo. 20th, 1858. 

. . . We were first ushered into an anteroom, 
and presently the Countess, ... a very agreeable 
person, appeared, and conducted us into a large and 



2Q2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

pleasant-looking drawing-room, where we conversed 
about five minutes, and then the poor dear sorrow- 
stricken Queen made her appearance. I don't know 
why, but I felt touched at seeing her, she looked so 
pale and altered ; and then it was not easy to forget 
that four of the small company who met at Neuilly 
were gone, and would be seen of men no more, — in 
fact, that we two were the only ones remaining. 
She took me by the hand very affectionately, and 
led me to a chair, at the same time requesting John 
Hodgkin to be seated, whom I introduced as the 
brother of Dr. Hodgkin ; and she directly said, 
" Ah, he is a very clever doctor : he is so good for 
my son." Very soon the Queen made some allu- 
sion to our visit to Neuilly in 1843, which she 
seemed to remember well, spoke of my sister Fry 
and her works of charity with animation ; and now 
she said, "You are following in her footsteps," which 
I disclaimed. But she persisted in it, saying, " Yes, 
you are ; you go about doing good, and so did she, 
and now I hear you are going to America." I had 
previously made some allusion to the loss they 
had met with, expressing my hearty sympathy, 
which was kindly and gratefully received. The 
tears came in her eyes as she said, " Ah, you are 
very kind. She was a great loss for me. And then 
there were two in six months, — two in six months," 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 293 

she repeated, with much feeling, referring to the 
Duchess de Nemours. I presently mentioned her 
grandsons, inquiring how they were. She replied, 
" They are very well," and added, to my great relief, 
" they are both here." I ventured to ask if we could 
see them, adding that the duchess had regretted they 
were not at home when I had the pleasure of seeing 
her at Sestri. She said they were very much occu- 
pied in preparing for their Continental journey, as 
they intended to set out the following day but one ; 
she would, however, send to inquire if they could 
come down for a little while, and requested John 
Hodgkin to ring the bell. It was answered imme- 
diately, and she spoke most politely to the servant, 
desiring him to be so good as to inform her grand- 
sons that Madame Gurney was here, and would like 
to see them. Almost directly the Comte de Paris 
made his appearance. I was quite struck with the 
amiability and frankness of his manner as he came 
toward me and shook hands cordially; and when I 
made an allusion to his mother, he said, " Oh, yes, 
I have often heard her speak of you; and I was 
very sorry not to be at home when you were there." 
On hearing that J. Hodgkin was Dr. Hodgkin's 
brother, he shook hands warmly with him, saying he 
knew the doctor, and that he had met him lately. 

He asked how long I had been in Italy, Germany, 

25* 



2Q4 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

etc., and presently the Due de Chartres appeared, 
who also greeted us in a most friendly manner. 
My heart was heavy laden all this time, and I felt 
I could do nothing else but ask for silence, which 
the Queen very kindly granted us, observing that 
her grandsons' time was closely occupied, and they 
could not remain very long; on which I said I 
hoped that I should not improperly detain them, but 
was quite reassured by the emphatic answer of the 
dear young Count: " Not at all, not at all, I assure 
you." We then fell into solemn silence, and I think 
I may say I was strengthened by that gracious 
Saviour, who is a present help in every time of need, 
completely to relieve my burthened mind, both to 
the Queen and to those two dear young men, 
toward whom I felt remarkably attracted. The 
Queen looked very serious, and bowed her head 
repeatedly in token of assent while I was speaking; 
and afterwards she thanked me warmly for my good 
desires for them, saying very earnestly, " Pray for 
me, pray for my children, pray for my grandchil- 
dren," motioning toward them as she spoke. Some 
allusion had been made to the probability of our 
never meeting in this world again, and the hope 
expressed that, through the riches of redeeming 
mercy, we might all re-assemble round the Throne, 
to which she thoroughly responded, saying, " That is 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



295 



the happy meeting-place; there is no parting there," 
or words to this effect. John Hodgkin set his seal 
impressively to what I had communicated, and made 
a few appropriate remarks ; and then the Comte de 
Paris and the Due de Chartres both thanked us 
warmly for the kind interest we had manifested. 
Not knowing how to address them, I had said, a My 
dear young friends, if you will so allow me to call 
you ;" and directly after the opportunity was over 
the Count most kindly took my hand, and said with 
earnestness, " Yes, you may call us your dear friends, 
for you have been true friends to us, and we do thank 
you very much." The Due de Chartres then took 
my other hand, saying, " We are so much obliged 
to you." And as I stood between those dear young 
men, holding a hand of each, I really felt a hearty 
love for them, and, making some allusion to their 
sainted mother, which they both seemed to feel, I 
expressed in a few words my heartfelt prayer even 
that the best of blessings might descend upon them. 
Thus ended this deeply interesting interview, and 
we left Claremont with a feeling of peace and relief 
which we could indeed acknowledge to be an abund- 
ant compensation for the effort and exercise this visit 
had cost us. 



296 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



E. P. G. to J. K. Clarke. 

Earlham Road. 
My very dear Sister, — It is indeed a favor, and 
one which I desire to be thankful for, to be permitted 
once again to date my letters from this peaceful 
home, after an absence of four months, and many 
heights and depths and sparing mercies. How 
great is the goodness of our Father in heaven to 
His unworthy children ! I rather shrank from re- 
turning to my desolate habitation without one kin- 
dred heart to welcome me ; but I had two nice 
young French companions, and the maids came out 
to meet me, looking so neat and nice in their light 
muslin dresses, and all seemed so pleased to see 
their mistress safe at home again ; but, above all, 
such an unusual flood of heavenly peace was poured 
into my heart that, as I roamed about the velvet 
lawn and flowery garden, I felt indeed I could 
adopt the language, "We are abundantly satisfied 
with the goodness of Thy house. Thou hast made 
us to drink of the river of Thy pleasures." 

With the foregoing and some other religious ser- 
vice, E. P. Gurney's mission abroad seemed to be 
accomplished, and on the 28th of the Eighth 
month, 1858, she took her final leave of England, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 2 Q7 

followed, as before, by the loving remembrance of 
her relatives and friends in that land, as evinced 
by their letters of affectionate interest. 

Katharine Backhouse to E. P. G. 

Twelfth mo. 29th, 1858. 

. . . Now the time draws near for this to go to 
the post, and what more can I say to thee, beloved 
one, but " grace, mercy, and peace be with thee," 
through Him who has loved thee and given Himself 
for thee? Oh, blessed provision for all who love 
the Saviour in truth and sincerity ! Here thou and 
I may meet, if nowhere else. 

Esther Seebohm to E. P. G. 

Third mo. 27th, 1859. 

... I have long deferred the expression of the 
grateful sense of thy various kindnesses, which lives 
in my heart, and often brings thee in vivid colors 
before me, not only as the generous friend, the sym- 
pathizer in the trials of the earthly pilgrimage, but 
as the messenger of comfort and instruction, the 
advocate of the great and glorious cause. These, 
in looking round, seem few and far between ; and 
the thought that thou art no longer one of us in 
person, though still necft in spirit, is not one we like 
to entertain. But we know thou art amongst those 



2 o8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

whom thou loves and serves, and who greatly need 
thy sympathy and encouragement; therefore in this, 
and all other things, be it ours to say, " The will of 
the Lord be done." 

E. P. Gurney continued diligent in the exercise of 
her precious gift in the ministry, both in her own 
meeting and in several visits to neighboring Yearly 
and other meetings. Of most of these but few 
memoranda are to be found. The following letter 
refers to one of these engagements : 

W. J. Allinson to E. P. G. 

First mo. 16th, i860. 

How often, dear friend, I have thanked God for 
thee, that He has enabled thee so truly to maintain 
the sacred trust given thee as the partner of such an 
one ! His reputation, safe in the Record-book on 
high, is in another sense safe in thy keeping, and no 
words can tell the tenderness of feeling with which 
we associate the two links, one bright in the ineffable 
glory, the other kept bright amid the tarnishing in- 
fluences of time, through Him " who is a crown of 
glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of His 
people." 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 209 



Thomas Evans to E. P. G. 

Fifth mo. 1 2th, i860. 

It was no surprise to me to hear thou wert going 
from home. It came vividly before me while con- 
fined to my bed, about Yearly Meeting time, and 
brought me into near feeling with thee. I was ready 
to wonder at my feelings, and almost to call them 
into question as the working of a lively imagination. 
Well, my friend, go on in thy simplicity ; and though 
thou may seem to have neither scrip nor staff, bow 
nor spear, yet, trusting in the God of Israel, He 
will be thy shield and buckler, give thee the gospel 
sling and the smooth stone from Shiloh's gentle 
brook, guide them by His eye, and make them 
effective through the power of His own spirit 
What a mercy that we poor, short-sighted creatures 
are not obliged to plan and contrive and carry out 
our work for ourselves, but have a gracious Master 
who goes before, opens the way and appoints the 
work, and clearly shows what it is, and then gives 
wisdom and strength to perform it, so that we have 
no need to puzzle or trouble ourselves about it, 
but simply follow His leading and do His bidding! 
Do not let in any doubts or reasonings, but just 
go quietly on, trusting in and leaning wholly on 
Him, and He will bring thee safely through, and 



3<30 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

cause thee in humble gratitude to set up thy Eb- 
enezer. 

E. P. Gurney's beloved friend and relative, John 
Hodgkin, was at this time engaged in extensive re- 
ligious service in this country, making West Hill a 
point of occasional resort when his duties permitted, 
to their mutual comfort and refreshment. Allusion 
is made in the following letter to one of these visits : 

E. P. G. to C. W. Stroud. 

Fifth mo. 13th, 1 86 1. 
We have just said farewell to our friends in a feel- 
ing of true peace, after a precious parting opportu- 
nity, — a " season of refreshing from the presence of 
the Lord." What shall we render unto Him for all 
His benefits? for this fresh token of His loving 
care in sending to His weary heritage a publisher of 
peace, a bringer of glad tidings, declaring unto Zion 
and to Zion's children, " Thy God reigneth" ? I can- 
not describe the deep and varied interest of his visit 
here, — the public meetings, the family visiting, the 
precious opportunities, both social and religious, 
which have been graciously vouchsafed to us in our 
peaceful domicile, the quietude and repose of which, 
he said, had been a true enjoyment to him; and he 
does not leave us with any feeling of not seeing us 




H 

< 

H 
< 

s 

o 
1-1 









ELIZA P. GURNEY. 3 OI 

again. The meeting at Mount Holly was crowded 
and a remarkable occasion. At Rancocas we have 
heard it was a striking time. 

A painful affection of the eyes and head, often 
known as " rose cold," which was aggravated by the 
luxuriant vegetation of West Hill, rendered it desira- 
ble for E. P. Gurney to seek a sea-shore resort during 
the summer months. With this view she erected a 
beautiful and commodious cottage at Atlantic City, 
on the New Jersey coast, commanding an extensive 
view of the ocean, and swept by its health-giving 
breezes. To this delightful retreat, which she called 
Earlham Lodge, she continued to repair every sum- 
mer during the remainder of her life, finding com- 
pensation for her voluntary exile in greatly increased 
vigor and comfort, and, with her unfailing hospital- 
ity, sharing the benefit she received with numerous 
relatives and friends, who came at her generous 
bidding in almost constant succession. 

Nor was she unmindful in her retirement of her 
higher duties. Atlantic City had at this time a large 
floating population and various places of public 
worship, but no established meeting of Friends, al- 
though many of that denomination were among its 
visitors. A little congregation of these had for three 

or four years been accustomed to gather on First 

26 



302 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 

day during the summer in the cottage of John M. 
Whitall, kindly offered for their reception. E. P. 
Gurney felt it incumbent upon her to open her spa- 
cious parlors to those who felt disposed to sit down 
with her for divine worship on First day morning, 
after the manner of Friends, and large companies 
frequently availed themselves of the privilege. One 
of her nieces describes these meetings as " often 
crowded with a mixed company of gay, fashionable 
people, mingling there with simple Quakers, all ap- 
pearing solemnized and impressed, both by the silent 
worship and the loving, powerful appeals to accept 
the truth as it is in Jesus. Many were the sorrow- 
ing, heavy-laden hearts that were comforted and 
cheered." 

The notice of E. P. Gurney by J. B. Braithwaite, 
before referred to, quotes from one of her own letters 
as follows : 

" I can hardly tell thee what these meetings are 
to me, — both our large parlors and the hall packed 
closely every First day morning, and myself feeling 
so poor and weak to be made an instrument in feed- 
ing the multitude. But I am bound in gratitude to 
say that the great Minister of ministers makes Him- 
self known amongst us, blesses the bread and breaks 
it, and condescends to employ one of the most un- 
worthy of His servants to hand it to the almost 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 303 

famished ones, of whom there are not a few in this 
vicinity, weary of forms and panting for the sub- 
stance. With such as these we have sometimes been 
permitted to sit down, as at the table of the Lord, 
enjoying true communion, and realizing that the 
blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." 

E. P. G. to Thomas Evans. 

. . . Thy sympathy with my religious exercises is 
truly helpful to me, for no one but my heavenly 
Father knows the depths that I have passed through 
in this place year after year. These never have been 
greater than the present summer, when people of all 
classes and denominations come thronging into our 
parlors till they are quite filled. The last two weeks 
our meetings were unusually crowned by a remark- 
able solemnity. 

. . . And now, my dear friend, I may tell thee 
that the encouragement contained in thy letter was 
truly helpful to me in discharging what I felt to be 
my duty in one of the most exercising meetings I 
have yet attended. But, oh ! how all that is within 
me shrinks from this continuous labor, except in- 
deed the earnest wish to be found fully faithful to 
my God. I had not the least anticipation of this 
sort of service in coming here, and it is so unlike 



o 04 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

my home experience. But I suppose the constant 
changes in the gatherings at this place, in part at 
least, account for this ; and I can truly say the only 
time I have felt condemnation was when I wilfully 
resolved on one occasion to hold my peace ; and there 
were several there to whom I never, in all human 
probability, shall be again permitted to declare the 
blessed tidings of salvation through a risen Lord. 

I thought thou ought to know how much thou 
hadst helped and comforted a poor, weak, faltering 
sister by the abounding consolation wherewith, I do 
believe, thou hast thyself been comforted of God. 

Thomas Evans to E. P. G. 

Philadelphia, Eighth mo. 21st, 1862. 
My beloved Friend, — It has given me pleasure 
to learn that thy sea-side home has proved a means 
of relief from some of the distress in thy eyes ; and 
I doubt not the benefit it has enabled thee to confer 
on others, by the exercise of a generous and noble 
hospitality, bringing not a few within the healthful 
influence of ocean breezes who would not otherwise 
have partaken of them, affords thee solid satisfaction. 
If there is anything that renders wealth desirable, it 
is the pleasure it confers by thus benefiting others; 
but too often, when the means are possessed, the 
open heart and liberal hand thus to employ it are 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



305 



wanting. Go on, my dear friend, in thy Christian 
munificence, and a blessing will attend it. I have 
received some very interesting accounts of your 
religious meetings. The burden must rest heavily 
on thee and our dear friends, J. M. and M. Whitall ; 
but don't shrink from it, for if only one soul is helped 
on its way heavenward the reward will be abundant, 
and he that watereth others shall be watered himself. 
. . . Some memorable instances of strangers, at- 
tracted by curiosity, being unexpectedly arrested, 
and broken and contrited to many tears, have lately 
come under my notice ; so that I am prepared to say, 
Go on in faith, following the leadings of the Good 
Shepherd. " In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
the evening withhold not thine hand/' whenever 
the Master bids ; for thou knowest not which shall 
prosper, this or that. And the promise is sure that 
y His word shall not return unto Him void, but shall 
prosper in that whereto He sends it." 

Thomas Evans to E. P. G. 

Tenth mo. 16th, 1862. 

. . . The Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor 

f His thoughts as ours. He works by means which 

to human apprehension seem foolish and despicable, 

but being of His ordering, and sanctified by His 

spirit, they are fruitful of holiness, and no flesh can 

26* 



306 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



glory in them. We need have no fear or anxiety 
as to the result of means which He appoints, weak 
and inadequate as they may seem to us. How 
precious is that word of ancient declaration to the 
soul that is emptied of itself and of all sense of 
good: " My God shall supply all your need, accord- 
ing to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus. Be of 
good cheer, and go on in faith, nothing doubting." 
. . . Thy precious letter was as welcome as it was 
unexpected, and I felt really obliged to thee for 
making the effort to write it. I derived comfort 
from the fact that thy feelings were so much like 
those I had been laboring under, and to me thou 
wast made a messenger of consolation. Ah, what 
a mystery this is to the men of this world, — that 
when poor and needy, and destitute of nearly all 
sense of good, the servant of Christ is yet made the 
minister of good to others, and, after watering them, 
has to return again, perhaps, to her own feeling of 
drought and emptiness ! Is it not a striking and 
convincing proof that the service is of the Lord, and 
not of man's contrivance ? Be encouraged, my dear 
sister, to wait upon thy gift ; diligently occupy it, and 
thou wilt reap the reward. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



307 



CHAPTER VI. 

The outbreak of the Rebellion in the Southern 
States occurred in 1861, threatening for a time the 
disruption of the government, and shrouding all 
hearts in sorrow and dismay with its constantly 
accumulating horrors. E. P. Gurney, in common 
with her peaceful sect, naturally felt her sympathies 
called into their fullest exercise for those at the head 
of affairs, that they might be rightly guided in this 
momentous crisis. 

In Tenth month, 1862, she felt constrained to pay 
a religious visit to Abraham Lincoln, then President 
of the United States, in which she was accompanied 
by John M. Whitall, Hannah B. Mott, and James 
Carey ; and after some difficulty in obtaining an inter- 
view, waiting two days for the purpose, during which 
their faith was sorely tried, to use her own words, 
" The great iron door seemed to open of itself." 
J. B. Braithwaite remarks, in the notice previously 
quoted from : " It was on the morning of the first day 
of the week, in a beating rain, that the little party 



3 o8 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



repaired to the White House, where they were at 
once introduced into the private apartment of Presi- 
dent Lincoln. They quickly recognized his tall, 
commanding figure as he rose to receive them ; 
and the cordial grasp of his hand as they were 
separately named to him at once placed them at ease. 
Deep thoughtfulness and intense anxiety marked his 
countenance, and created involuntary sympathy for 
him in this great national crisis. He at first sup- 
posed E. P. Gurney to be from England, but was 
soon undeceived." 

One of the party, in describing the visit, remarked: 
" It was a time not soon to be forgotten ; the deep 
solemnity, the almost awful silence that reigned 
within that room formed, as thou wilt believe, a 
striking contrast to the fearful scene of strife and 
carnage that was enacted, almost within sight, just 
on the other bank of the Potomac. And then to 
see the tears run down the cheeks of our honored 
President as E. P. Gurney solemnly addressed him ! 
I cannot possibly describe the impressive scene. 
When prayer was offered, he reverently bowed his 
head, and certainly evinced deep feeling. When we 
rose to go, he very kindly took leave of us all, and, 
retaining E. P. Gurney's hand, he made a beautiful 
response to what had been previously said. Her 
address to him was taken down from memory by 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 309 

our little party, — at least an outline of it, — and it is 
as follows : 

" ' I can truly say it is not from any motive of idle 
curiosity that I have requested this interview. I 
come in the love of the gospel of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ, — that blessed gospel which 
breathes glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, 
and good will to men. In common with the mem- 
bers of my own Society, — may I not say in common 
with every true-hearted citizen of the United States? 
— my spirit has been introduced into near sympathy 
with our Chief Magistrate in the heavy weight of 
responsibility that rests upon him ; believing, as I 
do, that in the faithful discharge of his various and 
important duties he does endeavor to preserve a 
conscience void of offence toward God and man. 
And earnestly have I desired that when weighted 
with cares and anxieties he may commit his way 
unto the Lord, that he may be careful for nothing, 
but in everything, by prayer and supplication with 
thanksgiving, he may let his requests be made 
known unto God ; and then, whatever the trials and 
perplexities he may have to pass through, the peace 
of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep 
his heart and mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

" ' In common with thousands and tens of thou- 
sands on both sides of the Atlantic, my heart has re- 



310 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

joiced in the noble effort which our honored President 
has made to keep the true fast, — the fast which the 
Lord hath chosen, — to loose the bands of wickedness, 
to undo the heavy burthens, to let the oppressed go 
free ; and I assuredly believe that for this magnan- 
imous deed the children yet unborn will rise up and 
call him blessed in the name of the Lord. But trials 
and persecutions are the lot of all who endeavor 
to maintain a just weight and a just balance, and 
who desire to be found walking in the path of up- 
rightness. Then how sweet is the assurance to the 
Christian believer that God is his refuge and strength, 
a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not 
we fear, though the earth be removed, and though 
the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, 
though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, 
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 
There is a river the streams whereof make glad the 
whole heritage of God. And seeing how difficult 
it is to accomplish that which we wish, and how 
vain is the help of man, I have earnestly desired 
that the President might repair day by day, and 
oftener than the day, to this river of God, which is 
full of water, even to the well-spring of Eternal Life, 
that thus his spirit may be strengthened and re- 
freshed, and be fitted for the right performance of 
his various and arduous duties ; and by the grace of 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 3II 

God he may be made an instrument in hastening the 
coming of that glorious day when the kingdoms of 
this world shall become the kingdoms of our God 
and of his Christ, and He shall rule and reign for- 
ever and for evermore ; when swords shall be beaten 
into pruning-hooks, when nation shall no longer lift 
up sword against nation, nor the people learn war 
any more. What a glorious transition would be wit- 
nessed here, from a scene of desolation and sorrow 
and suffering to one of peace and joy and love ! The 
wilderness would become as Eden, the desert as the 
garden of the Lord ; joy and gladness would be 
found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. 
And now, my dear friend, if so I may be permitted 
to call thee, may the Lord bless thee and keep thee, 
lift up the light of His glorious countenance upon 
thee, and give thee peace ! How precious is the 
assurance, contained in the blessed book of Divine 
inspiration, that they that dwell in the secret place of 
the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty ! He shall cover them with His feathers, 
and under His wings shall they trust. His truth 
shall be their shield and buckler. A thousand may 
fall at their side, and ten thousand at their right 
hand, but it shall not come nigh them, because 
they have made the Lord their refuge, even the 
Most High their habitation; there shall no evil 



3 i2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

befall them, neither shall any plague come nigh 
their dwelling. 

" ' May this be thy blessed experience ! May our 
Father in heaven guide thee by His own unerring 
counsel through the remaining difficulties of thy 
wilderness journey, bestow upon thee a double 
portion of that wisdom which cometh down from 
above, and, finally, when thou shalt have served thy 
generation according to the will of God, through 
the fulness of His atoning, pardoning love and mercy 
in Jesus Christ our Lord, receive thy ransomed spirit 
into that rest which remaineth for the people of 
God, unite it to the glorious company of victors 
whom the apostle saw standing on the sea of glass 
mingled with fire, having the harps of God in their 
hands ! And they sang the song of Moses and the 
song of the Lamb, saying, " Great and marvellous are 
Thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are all 
Thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear 
before Thee and glorify Thy name, for Thou only 
art holy!'" 

" E. P. Gurney then knelt in fervent prayer for her 
country and for the President, who appeared bowed 
under a sense of his deep responsibilities. After a 
solemn pause he replied, very deliberately, nearly in 
the following words : 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^13 

" I am glad of this interview. In the very re- 
sponsible situation in which I am placed, as an 
humble instrument in the hands of my heavenly 
Father, I have desired that all my words and actions 
may be in accordance with His will; but if, after 
endeavoring to do my best with the light which He 
affords me, I find my efforts fail, then I must believe 
that, for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it 
otherwise. If I had had my way, this war would 
never have been ; but, nevertheless, it came. If I 
had had my way, the war would have ended before 
this; but, nevertheless, it still continues. We must 
conclude that He permits it for some wise purpose, 
though we may not be able to comprehend it ; for 
we cannot but believe that He who made the world 
still governs it. I repeat that I am glad of this 
interview/' 

Nearly a year later, E. P. Gurney received a special 
request from the President, through Isaac Newton, 
United States Commissioner of Agriculture, that she 
would write to him ; and having before had it on her 
mind to do so, she wrote the following : 

To the President of the United States. 

Earlham Lodge, Eighth mo. 18th, 1863. 

Esteemed Friend, Abraham Lincoln, — Many 

times since I was privileged to have an interview 

27 



j I4 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

with thee, nearly a year ago, my mind has turned 
toward thee with feelings of sincere and Christian 
interest; and as our kind friend, Isaac Newton, offers 
to be the bearer of a paper messenger, I feel inclined 
to give thee the assurance of my continued hearty 
sympathy in all thy heavy burthens and responsi- 
bilities, and to express not only my own earnest 
prayer, but, I believe, the prayer of many thousands 
whose hearts thou hast gladdened by thy praise- 
worthy and successful efforts " to burst the bands of 
wickedness and let the oppressed go free" that the 
Almighty Ruler of the universe may strengthen 
thee to accomplish all the blessed purposes which, 
in the unerring counsel of His will and wisdom, I 
do assuredly believe He did design to make thee 
instrumental in accomplishing when He appointed 
thee thy present post of vast responsibility as the 
Chief Magistrate of this great nation. 

Many are the trials incident to such positions, and I 
believe thy conflicts and anxieties have not been few. 
" May the Lord hear thee in this day of trouble, the 
name of the God of Jacob defend thee, send thee 
help from His sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of 
Zion." The Lord fulfil all thy petitions that are 
put up in the name of the Prince of peace, of the 
increase of whose government and of whose peace 
He has Himself declared there shall never be an end. 



ELIZA P. GURNRY. 



315 



I can hardly refrain from expressing my cordial ap- 
proval of thy late excellent proclamation appointing 
a day of thanksgiving for the sparing and preserving 
mercies which, in the tender loving-kindness of our 
God and Saviour, have been so bountifully showered 
upon us ; for though (as a religious people) we do 
not set apart especial seasons for returning thanks 
either for spiritual or temporal blessings, yet, as I 
humbly trust, our hearts are filled with gratitude to 
our Almighty Father that His delivering arm of 
love and power has been so manifestly round about 
us. And I rejoice in the decided recognition of an 
all-wise and superintending Providence, which is so 
marked a feature in the aforesaid document, as well 
as the immediate influence and guidance of the Holy 
Spirit, which perhaps never in any previous state 
paper has been so fully recognized before. Espe- 
cially did my inmost heart respond to thy desire 
"that the angry feeling which has so long sustained 
this needless and cruel rebellion may be subdued, 
the hearts of the insurgents changed, and the whole 
nation be led through paths of repentance and sub- 
mission to the Divine Will back to the perfect en- 
joyment of union and fraternal peace. May the 
Lord in His infinite compassion hasten the day ! 
I will not occupy thy time unduly, but, in a feeling 
of true Christian sympathy and gospel love, com- 



3i6 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



mend thee and thy wife and your two dear children 
to the preserving care of the unslumbering Shep- 
herd, who in His matchless mercy gave His life for 
the sheep, who is alone able to keep us from falling, 
and, finally, when done with the unsatisfying things 
of mutability, to give us an everlasting inheritance 
among all them that are sanctified through the 
eternal spirit of our God. 

Respectfully and sincerely thy assured friend, 

Eliza P. Gurney. 

In the following year President Lincoln sent to 

E. P. Gurney the following acknowledgment of her 

visit and letter : 

Executive Mansion, 

Washington, September 4th, 1864. 

Eliza P. Gurney : 

My esteemed Friend, — I have not forgotten, 
probably never shall forget, the very impressive 
occasion when yourself and friends visited me on a 
Sabbath forenoon two years ago. Nor has your kind 
letter, written nearly a year later, ever been forgotten. 
In all it has been your purpose to strengthen my 
reliance on God. I am much indebted to the good 
Christian people of the country for their constant 
prayers and consolations, and to no one of them more 
than to yourself. The purposes of the Almighty are 
perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals 



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ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



317 



may fail to accurately perceive them in advance. 
We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible 
war long before this ; but God knows best, and has 
ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His 
wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile we 
must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, 
trusting that so working still conduces to the great 
ends He ordains. Surely He intends some great 
good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no 
mortal could make, and no mortal could stay. Your 
people, the Friends, have had and are having a very 
great trial. On principle and faith opposed to both 
war and oppression, they can only practically oppose 
oppression by war. In this hard dilemma some have 
chosen one horn and some the other. For those 
appealing to me on conscientious grounds I have 
done, and shall do, the best I could and can, in my 
own conscience, under my oath to the law. That 
you believe this I doubt not, and, believing it, I 
shall still receive for our country and myself your 
earnest prayers to our Father in heaven. 
Your sincere friend, 

A. Lincoln. 

The original of the foregoing letter, which E. P. G. 
had treasured with great care, was finally presented 

by her, at the suggestion of William Edward 

27* 



3i8 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



Forster, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania 
for safe preservation. 

The concluding letter of this interesting corre- 
spondence is subjoined : 

To the President of the United States. 

Earlham Lodge, Ninth mo. 8th, 1864. 

Esteemed Friend, Abraham Lincoln, — I like 
to address thee in thy own familiar way, and tell 
thee how grateful to my feelings is thy valued and 
valuable letter, which I shall keep among my treas- 
ured things, and for which allow me to return thee 
my sincere and grateful thanks. In the close and 
absorbing occupation of thy daily life, I know it 
must be difficult to find a moment to appropriate to 
courtesies of this description, and I appreciate ac- 
cordingly the generous effort thou hast made on my 
behalf, one which I certainly did not anticipate 
when, from a motive of sincere and Christian interest, 
I ventured to impose upon thee a written evidence 
of my unfeigned regard. The visit which I paid 
thee two years since, of which thou hast made such 
gratifying mention, was not, as I believe thou art 
aware, the effect of idle curiosity, but of a true con- 
cern which, as I cannot doubt, was laid upon me 
by my heavenly Father, and of which I could not 
possibly divest myself in any other way. So that, if 



j 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. jm 

there was any consolation in the message, I believe 
thou mayest receive it as coming not truly from a 
very feeble and unworthy instrument, but from that 
gracious God who comforts all that mourn. 

May He continue to sustain and strengthen, up- 
hold and comfort thee in every future exigency; 
and when He has enabled thee, in the meekness and 
gentleness, the patience and forbearance, the firmness 
and integrity of the truth, to fulfil His gracious 
will, when all His blessed purposes concerning thee 
shall be accomplished, through His redeeming and 
unbounded mercy in the only Saviour, may He re- 
ceive thy ransomed spirit into glory ! Friends have 
been placed, as thou hast justly said, in a peculiar 
and somewhat anomalous position. Decidedly op- 
posed to all oppression, and believing as they do 
that the holding of our fellow-men in cruel bondage 
is a sin of the deepest dye in the sight of a just and 
holy Judge, and earnestly desiring their enfranchise- 
ment from the galling chains imposed upon them by 
their task-masters, nevertheless they cannot consci- 
entiously resort to arms even to effect this blessed 
and devoutly to be wished for end. The weapons 
of their warfare are not carnal. The Saviour has 
commanded them to love their enemies ; therefore 
they dare not fight them. The only victory which 
they as followers of the Prince of peace can with 



320 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

consistency rejoice in, is that which is alone obtained, 
through the transforming power of the grace of 
God, over the world, the flesh, and the Evil One. 
"This is the victory that overcometh the world,'* 
saith the apostle, " even our faith." And, again, 
" Who is he that overcometh the world but he that 
believeth that Jesus is the Son of God." May this 
vital, operative faith, which is the substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, be more 
abundantly bestowed upon us ! Then, though the 
surface may be tempest-tossed, being justified by 
faith, the believer in Jesus will have a holy calm, 
peace with God, a deep, still undercurrent of soul- 
satisfying happiness which even the rudest storms of 
time fail to disturb, and none of the vicissitudes of 
life have any power over. An heir of heaven, with 
childlike confidence he can adopt the language, 
" The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom 
shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength of my life, 
of whom shall I be afraid?" "For in the time of 
trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the 
secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me ; He shall 
set me up upon a Rock, and now shall my head be 
lifted up above mine enemies; therefore will I offer 
in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy." That this may 
be thy blessed experience is the fervent desire of my 
heart. In conclusion, I would just remark that the 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



321 



very kind consideration for the religious scruples of 
the Society of Friends which has been so invariably 
and generously manifested by the government, and 
especially by our honored Executive, has been fully 
and gratefully appreciated. I think I may venture 
to say that Friends are not less loyal for the leni- 
ency with which their honest convictions have been 
treated, and I believe there are very few amongst us 
who would not lament to see any other than Abra- 
ham Lincoln fill the Presidential chair, at least at 
the next election, believing as we do that he is 
conscientiously endeavoring, according to his own 
convictions of right, to fulfil the important trust com- 
mitted to him, and to discharge the solemn duties of 
his high and responsible office, "not with eye-service, 
as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing 
God." May our worthy Chief Magistrate yet see the 
day when the Prince of peace, the Wonderful Coun- 
sellor, shall rule and reign over this now distracted 
country ! The Union unbroken, the oppressed set 
free, and, instead of the sounds of lamentation and 
woe which now so often fill the heart with mourning, 
"Joy and gladness shall be heard therein, thanks- 
giving and the voice of melody." That the Lord in 
His infinite compassion may hasten the day is the 
fervent prayer of thy sincere and obliged friend, 

E. P. GURNEY. 



o 2 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

After the close of the war in 1865, followed in a 
few days by the assassination of the President, E. P. 
Gur'ney had the mournful satisfaction of learning 
that " her first letter had been carefully treasured up 
by him, and was in his breast-pocket when the fatal 
shot reached him." 

The summer of i860 was saddened by the illness 
and death of E. P. Gurney's eldest sister, F. M. 
Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, a bereavement which 
affected her deeply. 

In the autumn of the same year occurred a de- 
lightful incident in E. P. Gurne-y's now quiet life, in 
a visit from her husband's grandson, John Henry 
Backhouse, the son of Anna Backhouse, accompa- 
nied by his aunt, Eliza Barclay, and his tutor, Wil- 
liam S. Lean. The little child whom E. P. G. had 
left in England, so sadly bereaved of his mother, had 
now grown into a tall youth of brilliant promise and 
attractive manners, and his loving attention to his 
grandmother and lively, intelligent interest in the 
novel scenes about him afforded her the highest 
gratification. 

The party passed several weeks at West Hill and 
in various excursions, among which may be noted 
the attendance of North Carolina Yearly Meeting 
by E. Barclay and E. P. Gurney, which proved an 
interesting experience. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



323 



The visitors returned to England in First month, 
1861. 

E. P. G. to E. Barclay. 

West Hill, First mo. 10th, 1863. 
. . .. My heart is turning toward thee and our dear 
John Henry with loving interest, and earnest is the 
breathing of my spirit that the new year on which 
we have just entered, may, through the riches of a 
Saviour's love, be full of choicest blessings to you 
both. And in this wish I would include the two 
dear youths who are so pleasantly associated with 
you, in whose best welfare I do feel the truest inter- 
est, both for their own and for their parents' sake. 
There is something saddening to most hearts in 
glancing at the pages of the old year's history, espe- 
cially if we find recorded there, " somewhat against 
us," duties neglected, hours misspent, and talents 
misemployed. Though this may not apply to the 
three dear ones who are now thy charge, I have de- 
sired that on the unseen, unsullied pages of the 
coming year may be inscribed a covenant of life and 
peace, a covenant that never can be broken ; that the 
blessed Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep 
may betroth them unto Him in loving kindness and 
tender mercy, and in very faithfulness; that they may 
" know the Lord," that so the beautiful inspired 
declaration may apply to each of them, " My cove- 



324 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

nant was with him of life and of peace, and I gave 
them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me 
and was afraid before my name." 

The memory of past griefs still from time to time 
cast a shadow over E. P. Gurney's spirit. She writes: 

First mo. 5th, 1864. 

. . . Alas ! these solemn anniversaries ! This was 
the seventeenth, and yet almost as sad as any that 
preceded it, everything did so vividly recall that 
awful, memorable day in 1847. The moon, that 
" faithful witness in heaven," seen through the hazy 
twilight of the early morning, just as I saw it then, 
just as I have continued to observe it since on each 
succeeding anniversary, the only time in the whole 
year I ever notice it ; and then the ground all covered 
with its snowy shroud for the first time, as then. 
The resemblance was but too complete, making my 
heart ache painfully. 

To-day, however, I can rise a little from this depth 
of sadness, and follow that most tenderly beloved and 
sainted one to his bright mansion of eternal joy. 
" When shall I wake and find me there ?" 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^ 2 $ 



Amy Y. Tatum to E. P. G. 

Ninth mo. 6th, 1866. 

... I think of thee now, my beloved friend, as 
again enjoying thy pleasant winter house, I hope 
with increased health and strength. I could enter 
into thy feeling in relation to the duty which de- 
volved upon thee in thy seaside home, — duty which 
necessarily involved peculiar exercise; but I do so 
value a clear spiritual vision where there is scarcely 
room to doubt the Divine requisition, that in think- 
ing of thee as filling thy mission, though through 
many exercises, it may be through much fear and 
trembling, — yet, I do not, cannot doubt, with the 
peaceful consciousness that thou art following His 
bidding, — I think of thee, dear Eliza, as one pecu- 
liarly blessed of the Lord. ... A little while and 
the blessed summons will reunite the members of 
the household of faith in that better land, where it 
will be their glorious privilege to offer, without in- 
terruption and from sanctified spirits, the tribute of 
praise to Him who has redeemed them, and washed 
their robes in His own precious blood. That this 
will be thy experience, my dearest friend, I do not 
for one moment doubt ; and wilt thou not pray for 
me, that it may, through atoning mercy, be granted 

to thy friend to witness the efficacy of the blood of 

28 



3 26 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

sprinkling, that her sins, which are many, may be 
blotted out, and she too be admitted, even though it 
be to the lowest place in the heavenly kingdom ? 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 

Tenth mo. 31st, 1866. 

... I was right glad to hear was acknowl- 
edged, believing that the time had come for it. My 
heart salutes him in a fresh feeling, as I trust, of 
gospel love, and bids him cordially Godspeed. 
Dear fellow ! I do truly feel for him in entering as 
it were upon the conflict, remembering vividly " the 
misery and the affliction, the wormwood and the 
gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and 
is humbled within me." I know this is not a pop- 
ular doctrine in the present day, but I assuredly 
believe these painful humiliations are inseparable 
from a baptized and baptizing ministry, and there- 
fore I could not ask exemption from them for any 
one I love. But may this youthful soldier "be 
strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," willing 
to " be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel," 
not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but by 
the power of His spirit " rightly dividing the word 
of Truth," fighting the good fight of faith, laying 
hold on eternal life ! May he at last receive the 
blessed welcome, not for any works of righteous- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



327 



ness which he hath done, but through the fulness 
of unmerited mercy: " Well done, good and faithful 
servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !" 

In 1866, E. P. Gurney was called to part with her 
beloved sister, Julia K. Clarke, who died Twelfth 
month ioth, after a lingering illness, in peace, and 
in confident hope of a blessed immortality. Re- 
markably warm and congenial in their feelings, yet 
of singularly independent judgment, the sisters had 
remained closely attached in heart through all the 
separations of their varied lives, and E. P. Gurney 
was deeply bowed under this affliction, in which her 
family and friends largely shared. 

William J. Allinson to E. P. G. and M. A. W. 

Twelfth mo., 1866. 

Dear Friends, — I long to speak a word of sym- 
pathy, though I am well aware that, being comforted 
of God, the mere assurance of what you know we 
feel, cannot add to your consolation. What fulness 
of peace there is in the contemplation of dear J. K. 
Clarke's blessed decline and entrance into life! Her 
faith reminds me of the language respecting Abra- 
ham, that " He believed God, and it was imputed 
unto him for righteousness." How wonderful the 
completeness of her preparation ! All last words and 



328 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



leave-takings, all arrangements perfected ; the full 
assurance of pardon, peace, and acceptance granted ; 
the glorious rejoicing in a sense of the King's favor, 
yet with sweet humility recognizing it as all of grace 
and mercy; no cloud permitted to pass over the Sun, 
which had risen to set no more ; the anointing for 
the burial continuing sweet and fragrant ; the per- 
fectly painless dismissal ; the whole tending to the 
glory of God, and loudly preaching the need of 
readiness for the Messenger, who often, as in this 
instance, cometh in an hour when we think not. 

John Hodgkin to E. P. G. 

Seventh mo. 4th, 1868. 

... I doubt not that with you, as well as with us, 
patience and faith are largely needed, lest we faint 
under the discouragements of the way. If this 
should reach thee whilst at Atlantic City, I must 
say to thee, as Moses did to Joshua, " Be strong, and 
of a good courage/' It does seem to be a part of 
thy work which has in rather an especial manner 
been owned of the Lord. 

Israel W. Morris to E. P. G. 

Green Hill Farm, Fourth mo. 3d, 1868. 

My dear Friend, E. P. Gurney, — In a letter re- 
ceived by me this day from our mutual friend, J. B. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 329 

Braithwaite, he says, " Will it be troubling thee too 
much for one of thy children to transmit a message 
of my dear love to E. P. Gurney ? I often think of 
her, and had intended to write to-day. I hope to do 
so before long." Now love is so precious an article 
to deal in, that I have preferred myself to be the 
means for transmission, and it affords the facility to 
add that I am, in love, thy attached friend, Israel W. 
Morris. 

The warrant for all this is abundantly afforded by 
Him in whom is our life, when He said, " By this 
shall all men know that ye are my disciples : if ye 
have love one unto another.'' Farewell ! 

E. P. G. to Thomas Evans. 

Fifth mo. 15th, 1868. 

I have a letter from Charles L. Willits, saying that 
Friends of Haddonfield have come to the conclusion 
to hold a meeting at Atlantic City, of which I am 
truly glad. In some ways it will be a great relief to 
me, taking away the burthen of responsibility, which 
rested very heavily upon me. I do not see, how- 
ever, how it would be possible to build a house in 
six or seven weeks, and think they must intend to 
rent a room. 

The meeting referred to above was held for a time 

28* 



330 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



in a room hired for the purpose, and under the care 
of a committee of Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting. 
A commodious and pleasant house was soon after 
built, and has since continued to be occupied by 
Friends on First day during the summer. The re- 
lief which this arrangement afforded to E. P. Gurney 
was very great, though her services in the ministry 
were still frequent, and often very impressive. 

Some letters follow, though slightly out of chron- 
ological order, expressive of the interest and sym- 
pathy felt by her friends in these engagements. 

M. Whitall to E. P. G. 

Seventh mo. 26th, 1868. 

... I do believe I never said farewell to thee 
under a deeper feeling of true sympathy and a 
stronger flow of sisterly love, with a sense that the 
world, as it passed by thee at Atlantic City, knew 
nothing of the burdens and the baptisms that were 
sometimes thy portion. But there is an Eye that 
sees and an Ear that is ever open, and a blessed 
Arm extended for thy support. Its strength thou 
hast again and again proved, and it will never be 
withheld from thee. These meetings, with all the 
sayings and doings, have been no small matter, and 
now that they have been regularly commenced, the 
responsibility will rest with no little weight some- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 33! 

where. I do expect thou wilt have thy portion, and 
believe that in and under all the Lord will be thy 
helper ; therefore thou need not fear. Thy being at 
Atlantic City and thy services there I doubt not 
have been of His ordering and to His praise. Could 
thou ask more ? We heard through several chan- 
nels that you had a very good meeting on First day. 
I doubt whether thou wilt find it any easier than 
when in thy own house. I cannot but believe that 
it is the design of our Father that the healing influ- 
ences of His love and mercy should flow there. 
May they run even into a broad river, that shall 
swallow up and carry to the bottom of the sea those 
mountains of prejudice that seem at times as if they 
would hide the love of Jesus. 

William J. Allinson to E. P. G. 

Seventh mo. 9th, 1870. 

We hear with pleasure that your meeting has 
opened, and that thou hast been employed therein. 
This is an important part of thy life-service, — to raise 
the standard when others would suffer it to trail. 
As I recently hinted to thee, I often feel thankful, 
not merely for the gift committed to thee, but for thy 
fidelity in keeping very closely to it, so that there 
is no room for gainsayers. This is a favor to the 
Church, as thou hast not only thy individual work 



33 2 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

to perform, but art intrusted with sustaining the 
character and memory of one so greatly beloved and 
honored of the Lord. There is a beautiful Provi- 
dence in this which has often affected my heart. The 
clear sounding of the full gospel truth through thee 
is a pledge and a convincing proof of his Christian 
and Quaker soundness, the value of which it is im- 
possible to overestimate. I do not know, in the 
range of Christian history, an instance of equal value, 
— of a true wife triumphantly holding the pure fame 
of a noble husband, unscathed, untarnished, and glo- 
rious, above the billows of threatening yet impotent 
calumny. I do not touch lightly upon this sacred 
topic. I trust thou wilt excuse the liberty. 

H. K. H. to M. Whitall. 

Seventh mo. nth, 1871. 

. . . Thou wouldst have rejoiced in the meeting 
on First day ; it was larger than that of the previous 
week, and a particularly sweet feeling prevailed. 
Darling Aunt Gurney spoke with much feeling and 
power. It was one of her full sermons, and the silence 
that followed was profound. She then knelt in solemn 
prayer. Thou knowest what her prayers are. I 
think I never more felt the sweetness and solemnity 
of this privilege ; one forgot, as it were, the servant 
in the felt presence of the Master. Many tearful 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 033 

eyes gave witness that hearts had been touched and 
comforted. George M. Elkinton said a few words in 
conclusion, and the meeting separated under a feel- 
ing of thankfulness to Him who had so truly fed the 
multitude. ... I thought this morning, as I heard 

her talking to and of the Lord's dealings 

with His children, what a comforter she is to many. 
She seems stronger and better for being here, and, as 
thou sayest, she is truly in her right place. 

J. B. Braithwaite to E. P. G. 

Tenth mo. 29th, 1871. 

. . . Whatever our anxieties may be, I have great 
faith that, in the tender mercy of our gracious Re- 
deemer, the vessel will be preserved and guided 
through every storm. There may be times when, 
for the trial of the disciples' faith, He may be as it 
were asleep ; but it is only that His power and love 
may be magnified when He shall be pleased to arise 
at their cry and say to the waves, " Peace, be still I" 

M. Whitall to E. P. G. 

Eighth mo. 12th, 1873. 

. . . We often hear the remark, " We have had a 
most excellent sermon ;" but when a person can 
say, " My case was so remarkably spoken to I was 
helped forward and strengthened to trust and not be 



3 34 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

afraid," it means a great deal more. And I hope 
thou, my dear friend, may be more and more filled 
with an earnest desire to be found faithful in doing 
the Lord's work, be it what it may. It is certainly 
a very responsible thing to be intrusted with His 
precious gifts ; and I believe the location of thy 
summer home is of His ordering. The field there 
is large and laborious. May the comparative rest 
thou may feel now be sweet to thee ! 

Dr. Joseph W. Taylor to E. P. G. 

Ninth mo. 16th, 1875. 

My dear Friend, — May I tell thee of the satis- 
faction the retrospect of my visit to you affords me ? 
Truly, it felt to me a continuous Sabbath, and the 
" Son of Peace" seemed to dwell there. Was not 
this favor granted to thee, and, in some measure, to 
those around thee, as a reward for faithfulness in 
bearing the burdens of the word, and in preaching 
the gospel to that assemblage of attentive and in- 
terested people who have been drawn to your meet- 
ings at Atlantic City? I doubt not that the views 
and principles of Friends have thus been dissem- 
inated, and that many have been helped to see and 
feel the beauty, simplicity, and power of gospel 
truths beyond what they had ever known before. 
That meeting I consider second to none in Phila- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



335 



delphia Yearly Meeting in usefulness and import- 
ance, and upon thy shoulders has rested the burden 
of its support. My thoughts often turn with interest 
to these meetings, and with feelings of sympathy for 
thee. But, dear friend, no one knows better than 
thyself where to place these burdens, and find help 
in every time of need. Who can doubt that for this 
evening sacrifice a rich reward of peace will rest 
upon thee ? 

Samuel Bettle to E. P. G. 

Seventh mo. 24th, 1879. 

. . . Inquiries of others and recent information 
have informed me of thy settlement by the sea, and 
of thy presence at meeting at Atlantic City. I am 
always glad to hear of thee in assemblies of the 
people, and especially at that city, where thy labors 
have been, as elsewhere, long and abundantly blessed. 
And the assurance is now evidently felt in thy heart 
that " He who has helped thee hitherto will help 
thee all thy journey through," and that the " dew of 
thy youth" will not dry up, but that thou wilt be 
found bringing forth fruit in advancing years. The 
Lord is not unrighteous to forget thy work and labor 
of love for Himself, and in ministrations to His ser- 
vants and people. Continue thou, my beloved friend, 
to rest in His love and to labor in His cause. He 



336 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



who has been thy morning light has not forgotten 
thee, and will be thy evening song and crown of 
rejoicing. 

. . . How barren and fruitless of anything to in- 
terest this poor missive seems ; but of this I can 
assure thee, — that it is a real comfort just to think 
of thee, to glance backward to our long, unbroken 
friendship, and forward to " our Father's home." 
May we through mere mercy be safely gathered 
there ! Perhaps I cannot better conclude than by 
quoting a verse from a piece addressed to me on the 
subject of our mutual friendship by a* poetic friend 
who died not long since, an Episcopal clergyman, 
Charles West Thomson : 

" May the seal of Eternity rest on the bond ! 

Through life may it last, undiminished and pure ; 
And when we may gain the bright region beyond, 
May we find it still round us, redoubled and sure !" 

E. P. Gurney's path was again shadowed with 
deep sorrow by the decease, in the summer of 1869, 
of her husband's grandson, J. H. Backhouse, who 
had been so pleasantly with her some years before ; 
and she could but bow in humble submission to the 
mysterious Providence which called away, as in a 
moment, this child of many prayers, just entering 
upon manhood, and, to all human perception, on the 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 337 

threshold of a life of singular promise and possibili- 
ties. His character and happy end are well sketched 
in the following letters. 

J. Hodgkin to E. P. G. 

Seventh mo. 31st, 1869. 

My heart turns with especial sympathy and love 
to thee in this great trial which has been dispensed 
to us so unexpectedly, and in which thou hast so 
large a part, both in thy own great loss and also 
from the fresh opening of wounds with which it is 
so closely connected. . . . My dear aunt and cousin 
are " chastened, but not killed ;" _^hey are " sorrow- 
ful,'' and yet, I might almost say, " alway rejoicing" 
in the blessed evidence which was so abundantly 
furnished that death was swallowed up in victory. 
It is indeed a privilege to be with them ; for while 
w r e can but feel that dear Eliza is truly like a wid- 
owed mother who has lost an only son just entering 
upon a life full of promise of every kind, yet all her 
loving care in his training, spiritual, moral, and in- 
tellectual, seems to be crowned with complete suc- 
cess, only it is a success for heaven instead of 
earth. I wish thou couldst share the atmosphere 
of this house. I feel that all who are brought 
within the influence of the death-bed happiness of 

this youthful disciple of the Lord Jesus have an 

29 



338 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



added responsibility ; for what but the certainty of 
the heavenly inheritance, the witness of the Spirit 
so abundantly granted him, could have enabled him 
to give up all his earthly possessions, interests, and 
prospects without a tinge of regret, and to thank 
God for the blessing and mercy and joy which were 
before him, and seemed almost present to his view ? 



A. Y. Tatum to E. P. G. 

Eighth mo. nth, 1869, 

My own beloved Friend, — What a blow is this ! 
Can it be that that cherished scion of a noble and 
venerated stock has been so early transplanted to his 
heavenly inheritance ? How many hopes centred in 
a life so full of promise ! Truly " death loves a 
shining mark/' Dear E. B., too ! Her best earthly 
hopes were placed on this son of her adoption, and 
now they are indeed crushed. His early and care- 
ful training, his position, his many noble qualities, 
and his ancestry all combined to create the fondest 
expectations. True indeed it is that here we know 
but in part, but there the veil so impenetrable to our 
mortal vision will be lifted. We know not what 
storms of temptation and of grief might have awaited 
him in a world which lieth in wickedness, and now 
he is safely housed from all. My own dear friend, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 339 

my heart goes forth to thee in unutterable sympathy 
and love, and I do rejoice in knowing that thou hast 
an anchor sure and steadfast. He who has been 
with thee in thy many deep trials will not fail thee 
now, but will, as heretofore, uphold thee by His 
strong arm of power, and enable thee, even in deep 
waters, to praise Him who has been, and is, the 
" light of thy countenance and thy God." 



JOHN HENRY BACKHOUSE. 

" He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of 
days for ever and ever." — Psalms xxi. 4. 

We asked for life, dear Lord, for him, 

A life attuned unto Thy praise ; 
We asked in faith. Thou gavest him 

The length of everlasting days. 
Thou gavest service, made him meet 

To sit amid the blood-washed throng ; 
Then led him forth to Jesus' feet, 

To join the everlasting song. 

We longed that earth might know his tread, 

God-sent, amid the haunts of crime, 
That his good record might be read 

Throughout the coming years of time. 
Thou hadst not thus o'erfilled his hand 

With seed to sow on life's broad plain, 
But called him where the reapers stand 

To gather in the golden grain. 



340 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

We asked a grandsire's mantle white 

Might fall upon him as he trod 
Thy chosen pathway, in the light 

Of Thy dear countenance, God. 
Thou hadst a better robe in store, — 

Thou wouldst not give Thy dear child less; 
Full white, he wears on yonder shore 

The robe of Jesus' righteousness. 

Thou gavest richly, as a King, 

In answer to our earnest prayer; 
And now those troubled hearts we bring, 

Who in their cup have found full share 
Of Marah's drops of bitterness 

In parting from their loved one thus. 
Be pleased their drooping hearts to bless, 

For Thou alone canst comfort us. 

Oh, comfort them while tear-drops fall ! 

To Thy dear face their dim eyes raise, 
And show them how Thou gav'st him all 

The wealth of everlasting days. 
Unto their faith, O Father, prove 

The blessing which he has with Thee, — 
The fulness of a Saviour's love, 

The glories of Eternity ! 



A. B. T. 



Ninth month, 1869. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^j 



E. P. G. to H. K. H. 



Atlantic City (no date). 
. . . Now that the meetings are over, I feel as if I 
really could enjoy a little social intercourse, which 
I have hardly been able to do, from one cause or 
other, since coming down, so great has been the 
pressure on my spirit ; and the exercise of mind I 
have had to pass through has been at times as much 
as I could bear. But to-day, thanks to unmerited 
mercy, " the whole earth is at rest, and is quiet ;" 
and under a grateful sense of the tender loving-kind- 
ness of my Father in heaven, thanksgiving and the 
voice of melody are once again ascending from my 
faithless heart. But, oh ! when I remember all my 
doubts and fears and conflicts, the upbraiding 
query will sometimes arise, " O thou of little faith, 
wherefore didst thou doubt ?-" The meeting yes- 
terday was one of unusual solemnity, and though 
some Friends had looked to having another before 
the season closed, I felt satisfied the right time had 
come to conclude them, in which some others quite 
united, saying they thought it was " much better 
they should end when the tide was up." 



2 9 



342 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



E. P. G. to Thomas Evans. 

West Hill (no date). 
... I purposely avoided calling on thee in Phila- 
delphia, because I do so thoroughly approve thy plan 
of perfect quietness. Indeed, I have thought, my 
dear and valued friend, that after thy late dedication 
thou might afford a season of entire rest to mind 
and body. " Come ye yourselves apart and rest 
awhile" was the language of the compassionate 
Redeemer when many were coming and going, and 
the poor disciples had not time so much as to eat. 
" He knoweth our frame ; He remembereth that 
we are dust," and "by His gentleness He maketh 
great." I feel it in my heart just to say, in reference 
to what thou hast remarked about thy deep un- 
worthiness, that I assuredly believe, when thou hast 
finished all the work appointed thee to do, through 
the rich mercy of that blessed Saviour whom, not 
having seen, thou hast loved, the mansion is pre- 
pared, the crown is ready, and the gracious sentence, 
" Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou 
into the joy of thy Lord !" is there awaiting thee 
in that heavenly kingdom, wherein it is declared 
that sorrow, suffering, parting, pain, and death shall 
never come. Oh, that through pardoning mercy 
I may meet thee there ! 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



343 



Mary Whitall to E. P. G. 

Tenth mo. 4th, 1870. 

... I received the book all safe, and am truly 
thankful for thy great kindness in sending it. I am 
reading and re-reading it with renewed interest, and 
think thou must feel at times as though thou hadst 
passed through two different worlds. I am sure 
thou feels, in many a backward glance, how wonder- 
fully the Lord has guided thee and helped thee, and, 
in a prospective view, can believe " He will never 
leave thee nor forsake thee." 

... How is it faring with thee, beloved ? This 
inquiry has very often arisen in my heart, with ten- 
der longings for a reply, and, though it came not, 
there was ever a sweet sense that it was well ; and 
whether amid the blossoming and the flowers and 
all the beauty of West Hill, or whether by the deep, 
moaning sea and the rain as we have had it to-day, 
the beams of the Sun of Righteousness were in thy 
dwelling. And besides the dear little circle around 
thee, thou had the companionship of that Friend 
who sticketh closer than a brother, who in thy early 
life called thee and took thee for His own. " I have 
called thee by thy name: thou art mine." The 
sweet young people about thee are cheerers I know, 
and will give thee heartfelt sympathy ; but they are 



344 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

entering upon the early and brightly opening path- 
way of life, while we are on the downward slope. 
But how the clouds are brightened, and such lovely 
views spread before us at sun-setting! 

The last remaining sister of E. P. Gurney, Mary 
Ann Williams, died Eighth month 2ist, 1872. She 
had been a member of her family since her first set- 
tlement at Burlington, and by her gentle, unobtru- 
sive, and efficient ministries had contributed largely 
to the charm of the household. 

A younger generation of great-nieces now clus- 
tered round the solitary hearth, cheering its loneli- 
ness with their fresh and buoyant life, and antici- 
pating their aunt's increasing needs with watchful 
care. 

Hannah L. Neall to E. P. G. 

San Francisco, Tenth mo. 23d, 1872. 

... I have been thinking a great deal about thee 
recently, and recalling, with something of the pleas- 
urable sadness with which one looks upon the 
drifting autumn leaves, the dear days, now drifting 
to and fro in my memory, that I spent with thee and 
thine in thy quiet Burlington home. 

My life, dear friend, has much to thank thee for; 
and it seems to me it must be pleasant, as our foot- 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



345 



steps lead along the distant ways and toward the 
upward slopes, to hear now and then the echoes of 
some word or work of ours in the gone-by days 
which made others happier and better for our living. 
I have many such sweet reminiscences of thee, when, 
perhaps, thou little knew how much I needed and 
valued thy help. I hear of thee occasionally through 
home correspondents, of thy failing health and ina- 
bility for as active a life as formerly; of thy in- 
creased work, even in this state, for thy Master, 
when, perhaps, thou art all unconscious of it; and I 
feel that I want to be near thee in these days of 
" beautiful sanctuary," and to come with my heart- 
felt love and blessing. Dear, true friend, I shall not 
forget thee ! As the years roll on, and I near the 
golden sands of the Eternal shore, I look back with 
gratitude to those who have pointed the way, and 
see, as I clambered painfully along over broken 
arches, why they were sharp and rugged to my feet. 

The summer wore her sweetest grace, 

And roses flung their fragrance out, 
While thou and I, with lingering pace, 

Wandered the pleasant paths about. 
The cottage doors were open wide, 

The guests were gathered in the hall, 
And I, from wanderings far and wide, 

Returned as to a festival. 



346 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Oh, for that welcome once again ! 

My. heart cries out, and still I wait. 
Dear Lord, if prayers are all in vain, 

Grant us beyond the golden gate 
With full arid joyous hearts to come, 

Leaving our burdens here below, 
And hear the blessed welcome home 

Which all Thy weary pilgrims know. 



Extract from Baroness Bunsen's letter to Eliz- 
abeth de Bunsen (daughter of Samuel Gur- 
ney). 

January 29th, 1 874. 

. . . How kind you are to give me an account of 
your aunt, Eliza Gurney, whose image is so bright 
in my remembrance. I am thankful for her that she 
is bodily and mentally so well preserved as to be 
enabled in old age to continue in real usefulness to 
her brethren in Christ, having the gift of communi- 
cating to others of the work of God in her own 
soul. Pray, if you think of it, remember me to her 
when you write, and assure her how thankfully I 
recall her visit to my dearest husband at Wiltbad, 
in 1857, when she sat with us through the afternoon, 
and uttered so many w r ords of Christian love and 
eloquence. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 347 



Mary Whitall to E. P. G. 

First mo. 30th, 1873. 
... I had such a lovely visit to thee in my wan- 
derings in dreamland that I can hardly think of thee 
as on a sick-bed, — thou came before me then in such 
a glow of health, and I walked with thee over thy 
house, where everything was so bright and fresh ; 
the rays of the brightest sunshine pierced every cor- 
ner, and I repeated in my sleep some lines of poetry 
that I had not seen or thought of for a long time, — 

" The sun shone on her house by day, 
By night the moonbeams fair, 
And as of old in Israel, 

'Twas never darkness there," — 

and then tried to repeat to thee the following, but 
could only get hold of a line or two : 

" He is my Lord, my Love, my all, 

The sweetness of my life; 
He is my strength in weakness, He 

Strives with me in the strife. 
I am in Him and He in me, 

My only hope and stay; 
In Him I take my rest by night, 

In Him I work by day." 



348 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



It was just lovely, and West Hill seemed like a 
little heaven ; and when I woke, and thought how 
thou hadst been going about comforting others, I 
could rejoicingly believe that joy and peace would 
be given thee. 

E. P. Gurney's constant and helpful friend, Wil- 
liam J. Allinson, died in Burlington, Sixth month, 
1874. His widow, Rebecca W. Allinson, writes: 

Eighth mo. 1 8th, 1 874. 

. . . My thoughts have been closely drawn 
toward thee in a fellowship of sympathy unknown 
before in the same degree. I know now, my pre- 
cious friend, what it is to be glad for those who rest 
from their labors, while a sense of utter bereavement, 
as regards an almost life-long companionship, comes 
over one at moments with crushing weight. The 
thirty-five years of our union cover reminiscences 
blended with all that was lovely and of good report, 
often mingled with trial and proving, but still, 

" Through rough ascent and even slope, 
Permitting us to mourn with hope," 

and to rejoice with trembling. And then it will be 
only a little while and we may join the general 
assembly in our Father's house on high. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 349 

I was rejoiced to hear thou wast with the mourn- 
ing company assembled on First day morning, and 
enabled to testify to the truth. Words are inade- 
quate to express my sense of what thy sympathy 
and Christian love have been and still are to all of 
us. 

The pure, beautiful shell is lovely to look upon, 
and seems to bear with it sweet thoughts of ocean's 
tossings, and of the time when there shall be " no 
more sea." 

E. P. Gurney greatly enjoyed a short visit about 
this time from William Edward Forster, M.P., since 
Chief Secretary for Ireland, the son of her lamented 
friend, William Forster, together with Sir T. Fowell 
Buxton, grandson of the philanthropist of the same 
name, who were spending a few weeks in America. 
The former was again at West Hill rather later. 

E. P. G. wrote to M. Whitall: 

And now what shall I say of the delightful time 
we have had with our deeply-interesting and distin- 
guished visitor? He came to us most unexpectedly 
on Seventh day, and left on Second, but not until we 
had had two or three precious hours of his company, 
including a sweet little reading and a heart-tendering 

farewell, because we fully realized that it would be 

30 



3JO MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE Ob 

the last. How I did long for some of you beloved 
ones then ! Both mind and heart were so entirely- 
unlocked, and he appeared to such peculiar advan- 
tage. Those who just see him for a moment can 
scarcely appreciate the wealth of his affections, the 
riches of his intellect, the sparkling humor, which so 
reminds me of his uncle Buxton, and the remarkable 
straightforwardness which from his earliest years 
have marked his course. I was so glad to have the 
opportunity of talking intimately w T ith him about my 
dear home relatives in England, John Henry most 
especially, of whom he spoke in terms to please 
even me. 

Catharine M. Brown to E. P. G. 

... I can hardly tell thee the gratification it has 
been to me to read again and again, with many 
memories, thy little volume, " Heart Utterances/' 
It seems to me there may be only a few left who can 
look back through the very same years, beginning 
at Frankford and Westtown, and all the way forward 
through our long and marked pilgrimages, — who can 
read those pieces and trace them with more interest 
than I have done. Now, is this egotism ? My eyes 
are dim, but it feels like love. ... I can hardly tell 
which I like the best, but " When the eagle stirreth 
up her nest" seems just now to come impressively to 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



351 



my heart; and surely, my dear friend, thou hast 
deeply known all its truths. The sweetest balm for 
all we suffer is to feel and believe 

" 'Tis only the Parent hand of Love 
That is stirring up the nest." 

J. B. Braithwaite to E. P. G., on the death of 
her beloved and honored friend, John Hodg- 
kin. 

Eighth mo., 1875. 

Surely these losses are designed to draw us more 
close to Him in whom it hath pleased the Father that 
all fulness should dwell. The longer I live the more 
I love to rest upon the words " Jesus Christ, the 
same yesterday, to-day, and forever." And yet, 
though we know that all our springs are in Him, 
we cannot but deeply feel when the vessels are taken 
away which were wont to convey to us such precious 
draughts from the living well. 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 

(No date.) 

I have been hourly longing to acknowledge thy 
precious little farewell paper messenger, with all of 
which my spirit has true unity, but most especially 
with the latter part of it, to. which I say " Amen" 
with all my heart. I often long to quit the " debata- 



352 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



ble lancT forever, it is so thoroughly unprofitable to 
dwell upon disputed points, and always leaves one 
utterly impoverished. 

" Why should we differ by the way ? 
Why should dissensions come ? 
We hope to spend an endless day 
In one eternal home." 

Give my warmest love to thy dear and honored 
husband. Although we seldom meet, I always think 
of him as one whose silent ministry testifies loudly 
to the truth of the inspired language, that " the work 
of righteousness is peace, and the effect thereof qui- 
etness and assurance forever." . . . While some of 
the dear, zealous Friends in Philadelphia are striving 
about words to little profit, and warming themselves 
with coals of their own kindling, I have been refresh- 
ing my spirit by looking over some delightful letters 
from veterans in the army of the Lamb, who are now 
engaged in singing living praises unto Him who 
hath washed them from their sins in His own pre- 
cious blood, such as dear William Forster, Edward 
Pease, Stephen Grellet, John Cox, and others. 



ELIZA P. GVRNEY. 



353 



J. B. Braithwaite to E. P. G. 

Fourth mo. 24th, 1876. 

I have been thinking much of you during your 
Yearly Meeting, which is, I presume, now over. 
The state of things is peculiarly trying to the faith, 
especially for those who desire steadily to pursue the 
even tenor of their way, without turning aside to 
either extreme, but looking with the single eye unto 
the one Lord. I feel deeply for our dear young 
friends. The responsibility of the Church on their 
account is very great. The sense of it often makes 
me humble. But deeply as we may feel, nothing 
should induce us to put forth our hands to stay the 
tottering Ark in our own wisdom. The Lord's own 
time and method must be waited for. In the mean 
time we must watch with the listening ear and the 
willing and obedient heart. Prayer, deep, fervent, 
and believing, must be the atmosphere in which we 
live. And I have faith to believe that our gracious 
Lord, who has raised us up to bear testimony to so 
many precious portions of His truth, will in His 
mercy bless us and do us good, healing our back- 
slidings and divisions, and uniting us in His love. 



3°* 



354 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



Elizabeth Hodgkin to E. P. G. 

Bournemouth, Ninth mo. ioth, 1876. 

My beloved Cousin, — I trust thou wilt not meas- 
ure my gratitude for thy letter by my slowness in 
acknowledging it. I did highly appreciate the effort 
thou made in writing me, and I thank thee from the 
depths of my wearied heart for those understand- 
ing words of sympathy. Yes, it is the widow who 
alone can understand the new-made widow's an- 
guish. One year has rolled away since my lovely 
Nellie went home, the first overwhelming grief, — I 
believe more heavy now, being unshared by him 
who best knew my heart's sorrow, and for my sake 
concealed his own. But it crushed him ; he never 
rallied, and in three months the death-wound fell on 
him. . . . Oh, how often our heart and lips are now 
saying, " Oh, to be over yonder," where there is no 
more separation, " in the presence of the King !" 

I am truly grieved to hear of dear, kind Dr. Tay- 
lor's failing health. I seem to love and value him 
now more than ever, so closely is his memory bound 
with my precious husband. 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 

(No date.) 

. . . Since thou wast here I have been listening 
to *s critique, and think it excellent, as far as 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



355 



it goes ; that is to say, I entirely unite with her views 
in reference to justification by faith. But has she 
not laid herself open to the mystical remarks of her 
opponent by stopping short of the whole plan of 
salvation through a once- suffering and crucified 
Saviour, a now risen and reigning Lord ? Has she 
not given an undue prominence to the blessed and 
glorious work that has been done for us without us, 
to the utter exclusion of the equally blessed and all- 
important work which must be accomplished within 
us, before we can be made meet for the heavenly 
inheritance that has been purchased for us, and to 
which we can have no possible claim but the free, 
unmerited mercy of God in Christ Jesus ? While I 

would utterly ignore the unsound views of , 

I must confess my Bible teaches me that I must 
not only be freed from the guilt, but also from the 
pollution, of sin, — not only be justified by faith, but 
sanctified by the Spirit; for Christ loved the Church, 
and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and 
cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, 
that He might present it to Himself a glorious 
Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such 
thing. So'that, while justification gives us the title 
to the mansion in the Father's house, sanctification 
must give us the fitness for it, for " without holiness 
no man can see the Lord." Dost thou remember 



356 



MEMOIR. AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



what Jay says on this disputed question? — "The 
one regards something done for us ; the other, some- 
thing done in us. The one is a change in our state; 
the other, a change in our nature. The one is per- 
fect at once, the other is gradual. We need the one 
as well as the other ; for if we were not sanctified as 
well as justified, we could neither serve God prop- 
erly nor enjoy Him. Suppose an unrenewed man 
pardoned : he would be no more able to see the 
kingdom of God than before, but would feel the 
company, the pleasures, and the enjoyments of the 
heavenly state uncongenial and irksome. Or sup- 
pose you had a son, and you forbade him to enter 
a place of contagion, on pain of losing all you could 
leave him : he goes, and is seized with the infection. 
He thus is not only guilty by transgressing your 
command, but he is also diseased; and do you not 
perceive that your forgiving him does not heal him ? 
He wants not only the father's pardon, but the 
physician's aid, and in vain is he freed from the 
forfeiture of his estate if he be left under the power 
of the disorder." Excuse my scribbling on at such 

a rate. I was so much interested by dear 's 

capital presentation of one-half the gospel plan, as 
I consider it, that my pen would not be restrained 
from adding the other. Wouldst thou mind sending 
her the accompanying tract of Bishop Mcllvaine, 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



357 



with my dear love, and ask her what she thinks of it? 
He is considered one of our soundest theologians. 
But I should like to quote a line or two from our 
own beloved and honored William Forster: "Oh, 
how I love to dwell upon the mercies of God in 
Christ Jesus! How it humbles the pride of man 
into the very dust of his unworthiness. And when 
applied under the animating influence of the Spirit, 
how it raises the soul in hope of an inheritance 
incorruptible in the heavens ! No room for the 
creature, its own works, its own merits, its own 
excellences ! There every crown is cast down at 
the footstool of the Redeemer, and Christ within 
and Christ without becomes our hope of glory, — not 
one without the other, but both in blessed unison, 
exalting His own praise !" 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall (on the death of John 
M. Whitall). 

Sixth mo., 1877. 

I trust I shall not weary thee, my own dear friend, 
but I must send one line, if only to assure thee that 
thy sweet letter was a true help and comfort to me 
yesterday, — more so than I can possibly describe. 
... I have so followed thee from day to day and 
hour to hour, and in the silent watches of the night 
the breathing of my spirit for thee is, May the Lord 



2j8 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

bless and keep thee, lift up the light of His glorious 
countenance upon thee, and give thee peace ! Thy 
precious husband's message was a real comfort to 
me. It is so sweet to think of him as " safe in the 
arms of Jesus, safe on the Saviour's breast !" — safe 
for Time, safe for Eternity ! " Blessed are the poor 
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 
" Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see 
God." Surely these beatitudes belong to him. And 
there is one which at this moment rises in my heart, 
as more especially appropriate to the beloved ones 
who are gathering around him : " Blessed are they 
that mourn, for they shall be comforted." 

I feel sure, my beloved friend, thy prayer for a 
submissive spirit will be answered. Indeed, I think 
thou dost already realize that it is " sweet to lie 
passive in His hand, and know no will but His." 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 

(No date.) 

My precious Friend. — ... In bidding thee 
lovingly farewell, I am comforted and cheered by 
the persuasion that thou art indeed a portion of the 
vineyard of the heavenly Husbandman, which He 
Himself hath blessed, of which He has said so 
sweetly, "I, the Lord, do keep it; I will water it 
every moment ; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



359 



and day." Then to His tender care I do confidingly 
commit thee, for life or death. Perhaps He may see 
meet that we should look upon each other's faces 
once again in mutability ; if not, I reverently believe 
that, through the fulness of His own atoning mercy, 
He will unite our ransomed spirits in that better 
land, where there is no more sorrow, no more sepa- 
ration, no more sin, and no more death, but where, 
with those most tenderly beloved ones who have 
gone before us, we may unite in singing praises unto 
Him who hath redeemed us with His own precious 
blood. So be it, saith my soul. I bid thee most 
affectionately farewell in the Lord, and am thy faith- 
fully attached and grateful friend. 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 

" Dearly beloved and longed for/' — I am sure 
I can adopt this language of the apostle in all sin- 
cerity, for I do love thee dearly, and long to see thee 
more than I can say, although appearances are cer- 
tainly against me, not having written thee a line 
since our sweet parting at Atlantic City. But how 
often have I thought of thee with true and tender 
sympathy, how often have I longed to share the 
pressure which I well know at times weighs down 
thy spirit, even when thy lips are uttering praises 
unto Him who dealeth tenderly with His believing 



360 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



children ! All are partakers of the cup of mixture ; 
but how sweet to realize that it is in a loving 
Father's hand, that He poureth out the same, and 
giveth to His dear adopted children just so much of 
joy and sorrow as He sees there is a " need be" for ! 
Thus, I assuredly believe, He has been dealing with 
thee, and the cheerful resignation of thy spirit is an 
acceptable sacrifice unto Him. 

I rather hoped to have seen our dear friend, 
Stanley Pumphrey, at meeting this morning, but, as 
usual, we were left to ourselves; and now that R. 
W. Allinson is gone, it is really a lonely allotment. 
Only Sarah R. Smith and Robert Thomas in the 
gallery, and not a single utterance but my own, 
which I had hardly faith enough to render audible. 
Oh, how I miss the help of thy dear, sympathizing 
spirit at such times as these ! It was a real comfort 
to me at Atlantic City, especially at the little cottage 
meetings, in which there certainly did seem to be as 
much solemnity as in the larger ones. But they are 
all passed away like a dream, and probably I shall 
never be there again. However, " secret things be- 
long unto the Lord our God," and those that suffer 
according to His holy will must commit the keep- 
ing of their souls unto Him in well doing as unto 
a faithful Creator. We know in whom we have 
believed, and are persuaded that He is able to keep 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



361 



that which we have committed unto Him against 
that day. 

Speaking of Stanley Pumphrey, I was fain to say 
that when I heard of his being so weighted by the 
prospect before him, I felt quite drawn to him in 
tender sympathy. Truly it is no light thing to 
speak in the name of the Lord at such a time as 
this, and I think he will feel it to be so. 

E. P. G. to M. Whitall. 

(No date.) 

... I have been completely absorbed by the 
deeply interesting little memoir (of John M. Whitall). 
Dear H. has given us such a life-like picture of thy 
precious husband that I can almost fancy I have 
been conversing with him and have seen the twinkle 
in his laughing eye; but nothing has recalled him 
with such sweetness as his own faithful record of 
his inner life, his honest statement of his hits and 
misses, and his graphic description of all the way 
his blessed Lord had led him throughout the perils 
of the wilderness, " to humble him and to prove 
him, and to know what was in his heart, whether he 
would serve him, yea or nay," thus sealing it upon 
his dedicated servant's spirit that " man doth not live 
by bread alone, but by every word which proceed- 
eth out of the mouth of God." Indeed, I have felt 

31 



362 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



it quite refreshing in these modern times to dwell 
on the experience of a " Quaker of the olden time,'' 
when men had fellowship one with another, and re- 
alized for themselves that the blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanseth from all sin. But I must not enlarge. In 
these days of physical infirmity, when my heart and 
my flesh are failing me, I desire to be clothed with 
fervent charity, and to "owe no man anything, but to 
love one another." Is it not sweet to feel, my own 
dear friend, that the Great Shepherd of the sheep is 
watching over us, and that He does keep those in 
perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him, 
because they are trusting in Him ? The breathing 
of my spirit at this moment is that, even though 
the billows may be suffered to arise and agitate and 
discompose the surface, the very "peace of God, 
which passeth understanding, may keep thy heart 
and mind through Jesus Christ." 

E. P. Gurney's love for children was a prominent 
characteristic. The daily visits of her niece's little 
ones, living near by, were an unceasing pleasure; 
and her cordial greeting and endless store of inter- 
esting converse and amusement made her chair a 
centre of rare enjoyment to them. 

A widowed niece, with her little daughter, about 
three years of age, resided with E. P. Gurney at 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 363 

West Hill. The winning ways and sweet disposition 
of the child had endeared her very closely to her 
aunt, and she seemed the sunshine of the house. 
But a sudden attack of scarlet fever took her from 
their loving arms, and E. P. Gurney was again 
plunged into deep, but not hopeless, mourning. 
Most touching and appropriate were the words 
quoted by a dear friend at the little grave : " Suffer 
the little children and forbid them not to come unto 
me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. " 

E. P. G. to H. K. H. 

West Hill, First mo., 1879. 
I know thou hast been with us in spirit while the 
waves and the billows have been passing over us, 
and it has seemed at seasons as if the water flood 
must overwhelm, but — blessed be the name of our 
compassionate Saviour ! — He has not suffered the 
deep to swallow us up, though truly He has " sore 
broken us in the valley of humiliation, and covered 
us with the shadow of death." Thou canst hardly 
imagine the depths we have been passing through, 
or the wrench it has been to some of us to part for- 
ever with this darling child, who had twined herself 
so closely round every fibre of our clinging hearts, 
— parted forever, as regards this fleeting scene, but I 
confidingly believe there is a glorious meeting-place 



364 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



where, through the fulness of redeeming mercy, all 
the Lord's ransomed children will be safely gar- 
nered. . . . Do not think, dearest H., because I have 
dwelt so much on the heartrending sorrow of giving 
up this precious little one, that unmitigated grief has 
been our portion. So far from this, that loving Sa- 
viour, one of whose blessed offices it is to comfort 
all that mourn, has been very near to His sorrowing 
children, pouring the balm of healing into every 
stricken heart, very remarkably into dear, precious 

's, who, while writhing under the weight of His 

chastening hand, has been enabled to magnify the 
name of the holy Chastener. I have rarely ever 
witnessed a more striking instance of the power of 
Divine grace to elevate the soul above the crushing 
trials of the present hour and fill it with thanksgiving 
and the voice of melody. 

E. P. Gurney's feelings sought expression in the 
following lines : 

Not lost, my darling Elsie, but only gone before, 

To give us joyful greeting upon the other shore, — 

To welcome those who love thee to thy genial home in heaven, 

Where thou art now rejoicing with the washed and the forgiven, 

With all the ransomed company who circle round the Throne, 

The palm of victory in their hand, the crown of glory on ! 

Oh, who would bring thee back to earth, with all its hidden snares, 

Its sorrows, its perplexities, its burdens, and its cares ? 



ELIZA P. GUSNEY. 



365 



Yet how we miss thee, Elsie ! we miss thy gleeful tone, 
Thy gentle step, thy ringing laugh, thou precious little one ! 
We sadly miss thy look of love, thy words of tenderness. 
Thy mother's arms are empty now ; she can no longer press 
The babe she loved so dearly to her poor stricken heart. 
Oh, it was agony indeed from that sweet child to part ; 
But she turned the eye of faith to heaven, that she might there be- 
hold 
Her precious little lambkin, safe in the Saviour's fold. 
" Mamma, I do love Jesus," were the solemn words she said, 
Then on her gentle Saviour's breast pillowed her wearied head, 
Singing with the whole host of heaven the everlasting song, 
" To Him who washed us in His blood glory and praise belong." 

The winter of 1879-80 was unusually prolific of 
sorrow to E. P. Gurney. In the First month, 1880, 
died her near neighbor and long-loved friend, Dr. 
Joseph W. Taylor, a man upon whose sterling worth 
and clear judgment she had been accustomed to rely 
with confidence, and who was always prompt to ren- 
der his efficient aid in her varied needs. Samuel 
Bettle and Mary Whitall, of Philadelphia, with both 
of whom she had maintained a close friendship for 
many years, were also removed by death after a 
short interval, leaving with her a sense of sore be- 
reavement and loneliness. 

E. P. Gurney had arranged and published, under 
the title of " The Garland," a number of her favorite 

31* 



3 66 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 



poems, generally of a devotional character. A col- 
lection of some of her own poetical effusions was 
afterward printed for private circulation, entitled 
" Heart Utterances at Various Periods of a Checkered 
Life." Reference is made to the latter volume in the 
following letters. 

Joel Bean to E. P. G. 

West Branch, Fourth mo. 14th, 1881. 
... I am disposed to take the pen to send thee 
at least a message of love. Anna Potts mentioned 
lately thy eightieth birthday. Years ago it was one 
of thy heart utterances, — 

" Alas ! they have left me all alone 
By the receding tide ; 
But, oh ! the countless multitudes 
Upon the other side !" 

We think of thee as in one sense more alone than 
often falls to the lot of the Zionward pilgrim. Yet, 
in a better sense, we can think of no one less alone. 
He who was thy morning light is thy evening song, 
as He leads thee still through proving and lonely 
paths to larger knowledge and deeper experience of 
the unsearchable riches of His grace. He is ever 
with thee, whether with the conscious shining of 
His face to comfort and lift thy spirit up, or with a 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



367 



veil to make thee long more and press closer to His 
side. And not alone His companionship: the moun- 
tain is full about thee. "Ye are come to Mount 
Zion, to the general assembly and Church of the 
first-born, whose names are written in heaven, and to 
God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men 
made perfect/' 

Hannah E. Bean to E. P. G. 

Fourth mo. 16th, 188 1. 

Beloved Friend, — Our thoughts have been much 
with thee of late, and ever with the heart-cheering 
feeling that, although feebleness of body may be thy 
portion, yet He who has so eminently been "the 
health of thy countenance and thy God" has thee 
so safely sheltered under His Almighty wing that 
the strength of His spirit is thine. Faithfully hast 
thou labored for thy KUg while health and strength 
were given; now He has drawn thee aside to the 
holy mount, where, as He prompts the vocal or un- 
uttered prayers for the Church and the individual 
workers in the vineyard, they arise as sweet incense, 
"golden vials full of odors." For the Church's sake, 
we long that thou mayst tarry long in the land of 
Beulah ; but earnest is the prayer of my heart that 
our Father will send many and continually brighter 
tokens of His love to thee, both instrumentally 



^68 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

through the dear ones who daily minister to thee, 
and absent ones who cherish thy image, and ever by 
His own best gift of Himself, " I have graven thee 
upon the palms of my hands ; thy name is contin- 
ually before me." Purchased, redeemed, sanctified, 
what can we ask more for thee but that patient en- 
durance of the last tests may be rewarded with His 
peace here and the crown hereafter? 

4 

It would seem superfluous to attempt any fuller 
delineation of E. P. Gurney's religious character 
than has been already set forth in some of the fore- 
going pages. Her ministry, like her correspond- 
ence, gave no uncertain sound; and she had a happy 
facility in conveying distinctly to others her own 
clear views of gospel truth. Her public addresses 
were seldom of great length, but delivered with 
much dignity and solemnity of manner, and distinct, 
deliberate utterance, and were especially attractive to 
the young. Unshrinking when her duty required 
the delivery of solemn warning or serious admo- 
nition, yet the love of God in Christ Jesus was her 
favorite theme, the key to all her interpretations of 
Scripture. Controversy on points of minor impor- 
tance was especially distasteful to her, as well as all 
radical views in doctrine or Church polity. She 
once wrote, " Extremes are painful and oppressive 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



369 



to me, be they on which side they may. I prefer 
the middle of the middle way." She loved peace 
for its own sake, and delighted to dwell on the olden 
days, when the name of Friend conveyed no thought 
of coldness or estrangement. 

" For there was freedom in that wakening time 
Of tender souls ; to differ was not crime : 
The varying bells made up the perfect chime." 

The promotion of social intercourse and the main- 
tenance of mutual interest, especially by those who 
were prominent in the religious Society of which she 
was a member, were regarded by her as important 
duties. She wrote, in reference to one who had failed 
in these respects : " I thought, surely this is only 
fulfilling a part of the mission, — preaching the word, 
but not being willing to communicate; reproving, 
rebuking, exhorting in the public gatherings, but 
wholly neglecting in the social circle to 'rejoice with 
them that do rejoice, and to weep with those who 
weep.' Is it not a slighting of the exhortation, 
1 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law 
of Christ'?" 

Her own example in this respect was remarkable. 
She possessed the happy faculty of drawing out the 
latent powers of others, and her conversation was 
rich with the ripened fruits of her large experience, 



3>70 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 

and marked with the Christian charity that thinketh 
no evil. She " opened her mouth with wisdom, and 
in her tongue was the law of kindness." Her heart 
instinctively prompted her to share with others what- 
ever good she might possess, and when, as so often 
happened, she had guests whose conversation she 
thought would especially interest or edify her neigh- 
bors, they were freely invited to partake with her of 
the intellectual feast. 

Some passages from one or two of the many inter- 
esting letters received after her departure may per- 
haps be properly inserted here. 

Dr. J. C. T. to G. B. K. 

Eleventh mo. 9th, 1881. 

. . . The charm of her graceful and brilliant con- 
versation was peculiarly her own, and it was always 
a privilege to be permitted to be with her.* Few 
persons have been possessed of so great an endow- 
ment of heart and mind, to which her varied ac- 
quaintance with men and manners gave additional 
interest. Her association with the Society of 
Friends has embraced all the periods of deepest in- 
terest in its history for the last sixty years. She 
might truly have said, " All of which I saw, and part 
of which I was." Her work as a young woman with 
Hannah C. Backhouse and her marriage with J. J. 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^7 1 

Gurney in after-years, threw her into the fore-front 
of the agencies which saved the Society in this coun- 
try and in England from Socinianism. How greatly 
she enjoyed, how keenly she suffered during those 
eventful periods ! Of her own service as a Christian 
and as a minister of Christ all with whom she min- 
gled can testify. She had pre-eminently the pro- 
phetic gift, and spoke directly to the states of her 
hearers. . . . 

H. L. Neall to H. K. H. 

February 17th, 1882. 

... A most rare and exceedingly lovely woman 
was thy beloved aunt. She had the gift of knowing 
when and where to touch sin for healing, sorrow 
for comforting, evil for reproving, grief for con- 
soling. She carried with her an aroma of sweetness 
and purity that made Christianity lovely and to be 
desired as a joy and happiness; she exemplified in 
her daily walk its refining and beautifying influence. 
She made goodness attractive for its own sake, and 
won the timid and distrustful to confidence and trust 
in the love which permeated her own life. If she 
came, as I believe we all must come, to Christ 
through tribulation, she bore the palm of victory so 
assuredly that one saw more of the glory of con- 
quering than of the pang of suffering, more of the 



372 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



strength of overcoming than of the anguish of en- 
during, and thus realized the power of religion to 
put aside lets and hinderances and press forward for 
the prize of the high calling which is in our Lord 
and Saviour. I never felt ministrations so tender 
and touching as were hers to me ; and since I was 
a young girl I have had a most reverent and endur- 
ing affection for her, which neither time nor separa- 
tion could in the least diminish, for it has been one 
of the realities of my life. And although I may not 
have written to or heard from her for months per- 
sonally, I always knew my place in her heart, and 
that she felt an abiding interest in me and in my 
temporal as well as spiritual welfare. 

The ample means at E. P. Gurney's disposal en- 
abled her largely to enjoy the luxury of doing good 
as well to the bodies as to the souls of the needy, 
and her charities, though discriminating, were widely 
spread. Rarely did she fail to respond to the call of 
want or suffering, esteeming herself as simply a 
steward, not only of the manifold grace of God in 
spiritual things, but of her abundant temporal bless- 
ings, endeavoring to administer wisely all the talents 
committed to her keeping. 

In person E. P. Gurney was somewhat above the 
medium height, and remarkably attractive in appear- 






ELIZA P. GURNEY. 273 

ance and address. In early life she was of rather 
slender frame, becoming much stouter as years ad- 
vanced. A sprained ankle, received in jumping 
hastily from a carriage, caused a weakness from 
which she never fully recovered, and debarred her 
in her latter years from much intercourse with her 
friends, except at her own fireside, where she ever 
welcomed her numerous visitors with kind and 
graceful courtesy. 

Her naturally good constitution was now evi- 
dently showing the inroads of time. The sight of 
one eye had been gone for many years, and the 
other partook of the weakness to such an extent 
that reading and writing, except by the aid of others, 
was often interdicted, and at times impossible. This 
privation she keenly felt, the more so from the fear 
lest some of her correspondents should fail fully to 
comprehend her inability to respond as she would 
have wished to do, and attribute to want of interest 
the silence that was unavoidable. Surrounded by 
loving and devoted nieces and relatives, all that 
affection could suggest was done to mitigate the 
infirmities of advancing age, and to soothe its in- 
evitable loneliness. 

During the winter of 1880 she was often missed 
from her accustomed seat in meeting. In the follow- 
ing summer she was again able to go to the sea-shore, 

32 



374 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



but without receiving the usual benefit from the 
ocean breezes; and she returned for the last time to 
West Hill in a condition of great physical weakness. 
Her faith in her Redeemer, " undimmed by doubt, 
undarkened by despair," sustained her through the 
last weary days of bodily trial, and, after about three 
weeks of suffering, the end came, in perfect peace, 
on the 8th of the Eleventh month, 1881. 

The funeral, which took place at Friends' Meet- 
ing-House, Burlington, on the nth of Eleventh 
month, was a time of solemnity not soon to be 
forgotten. All classes of the community seemed 
anxious to manifest their regard for her memory, 
feeling, as was truthfully expressed at the time, that 
she had indeed been " a succorer of many;" and not 
a few could add, " and of myself also." 

The notice in the " Annual Monitor," already 
quoted, says, " By a happy, undesigned coincidence 
Richard Hanbury Joseph Gurney, her husband's 
youngest grandson, with his youthful bride, the 
granddaughter of the first Sir Thomas Fowell Bux- 
ton, and William Fowler, M.P., one of the nephews 
of his second wife, all from England, were present, 
and added to the interest of the occasion. Various 
affectionate testimonies were borne to the graces of 
her Christian life and the blessedness of her hope, 
full of immortality." 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. 



375 



Her mortal remains repose in the quiet burial- 
ground attached to the meeting-house, surrounded 
by those of many of her kindred, and of beloved 
ones with whom she was accustomed to take sweet 
counsel, and to go up to the house of God in 
company. 

" Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious 
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. ,, " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose 
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will 
God bring with him." 



376 



MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 



IN MEMORIAM. 
E. P. GURNEY. 

Died November 8, 1881. 

Fitting are sombre clouds to-day, 
And wild November's wailing blast : 
A noble soul, and true, hath passed 

From earth away ! 

Silent are lips that ne'er before 
Were unresponsive to our tears ; 
The life and love that blessed our years 

For us are o'er. 

Our steps are on the withered leaves ; 

Clouds are alike within, without ; 

Yea, sorrows compass us about 
Whom Death bereaves. 

But, oh ! for her who loved her Lord, 
Who daily poured upon his feet 
Love's precious ointment, rich and sweet, 

Death is reward. 

Hush, hush these selfish tears, this woe : 

Do ye not hear a holy Voice ? 

" Ye, if ye loved me, would rejoice 
Because I go." 



ELIZA P. GURNEY. ^yy 

So would she speak from that bright shore, 

Beyond Death's darkly rolling tide, 

Where she in glory shall abide 
For evermore. 

F. M. Sharpless. 



THE END. 










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